Five things Manchester United buyers would need to promise from takeover
A crucial period in the history of Manchester United is approaching as takeover discussions start to intensify. The Glazer family is said to have established next Friday as the deadline for prospective buyers to make concrete offers. This means there is less than a week left for anyone interested in acquiring the club to present their plans.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a United fan, has expressed his intention to bid for the club. Additionally, there are reports of interest from Qatar and American investors.
Each bid will have its own advantages and disadvantages, but it is essential that whoever wants to take control of the club can commit to five essential promises that form the basis of their vision.
The first priority of anyone taking over Manchester United should be to provide sufficient financial support to manager Erik ten Hag for strengthening the team.
Ten Hag received a high level of investment last summer, but the club’s finances are currently limited. Qualifying for the Champions League and player sales will play a crucial role in their spending this summer, but additional financial support would greatly benefit their efforts.
This is especially important as United may have to make a choice between signing a top-level striker or a world-class striker, but with a takeover, they might have the means to bring in both.
The elimination of the club’s enormous debts will constitute a second crucial pillar. It is imperative that the new owners have a clear plan for how they intend to reduce the amount of money currently owed, unless the initial takeover payment is sufficient to accomplish this.
United reported a net loss of £115.5 million for the fiscal year ending June 2022, while their net debt grew by £95.4 million to £514.9 million, despite an 18% increase in total revenue to £583.2 million.
The funding of Old Trafford’s redevelopment, no matter what that entails, will be an additional crucial commitment. It is believed that these plans are currently on hold until new owners are found.
Interested parties will be informed of the stadium’s consultation plans and must then determine how they would enhance the match day experience should their bid be successful. This investment can also be applied to the club’s Carrington training facility, which is undergoing renovations to bring it up to modern standards.
The club has been left behind by the top teams in Europe, and under the new ownership, there is a strong desire to regain their former status.
The final assurance must be that United will strive to improve all aspects of the club, not just the men’s senior team. A takeover should also seek to build upon the solid foundation of the women’s set-up as they pursue a historic Super League title, with academy football integral to the identity of the club across all disciplines.
Additionally, additional funding must be in place for the club to continue its outstanding community service and explore new ways to innovate and set the standard for outreach.
As United fans debate what is best for the club’s future, talk of a takeover has stoked discord amongst them, and this is only going to intensify in the coming weeks.
There is still a long way to go before we can determine who might purchase the club, and if they cannot fulfill these five fundamental promises, they should fail at the very first hurdle.
Five things Manchester United buyers would need to promise from takeover
