Man United’s UAE takeover bidders will be cursing Turki Alalshikh for what he has just done

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Speculation has been rife over a fresh takeover bid at Manchester United, but the process will be far from simple.

A sensational claim from Saudi Arabian government official Turki Alalshikh that Manchester United were in an ‘advanced stage’ over a sale saw the rumour mill go into overdrive earlier this week.

According to the Daily Mail, a consortium based in the United Arab Emirates is weighing up making an offer, and former United players have been asked to throw their weight behind them.

The controversial Glazer family would demand over £5billion to sell the club, however, and there is no guarantee that the group’s interest would develop into an official bid.

Now, a football finance expert has doubted whether the takeover will go ahead for one glaring reason.

Exclusive: Leaked news means Man United takeover is unlikely

Speaking to TBR Football, Adam Williams declared that the very fact that the UAE interest has become public means the Glazers are unlikely to sell up.

Explaining why, Williams said: “Recent reports have suggested that United could be ‘taken over’ by a UAE consortium. That followed the tweets from Turki Alalshikh saying an investor was close to buying the club. I would take that with a lorry-load of salt, if I were you.

“For one, what does ‘taken over’ mean in this context? Given that we’re only 18 months on from Sir Jim Ratcliffe investing in the club, it’s overwhelmingly unlikely that the market sentiment towards United has shifted to the extent that the Glazers could now get the £5-6bn they value the club at.

“What has happened in the last 18 months to justify that? They have regressed on the pitch, and we don’t yet know how effective Ratcliffe’s measures to shore up the balance sheet long-term are going to be.

“And yes, the Glazers have ‘drag-along’ rights that could compel Ratcliffe to sell his shares as part of a full sale, but the Glazers will only enact that if they get the price they are looking for.

“A minority investment is much, much more likely, probably in order to generate the capital necessary to build the new stadium, while limiting the amount of extra debt that they will need to take on.

“But even with a minority investment, I would suggest the very fact that this has leaked means it is unlikely to happen. If the Glazers were selling, they would certainly want a quieter process for the time being.

“So if the talks are genuine – and I have no reason to doubt that at this stage – whoever is behind the UAE consortium won’t thank Turki Alalshikh for making that public.”

Finnish entrepreneur wants to invest in Man United

Though it has not been officially confirmed that United are on the market, Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus is seemingly working on a second attempt at investing in the club.

He had previously been among the contenders, alongside Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, when the Glazers considered selling up part of United in 2023.

Despite his supporter-led initiative missing out on that occasion, Zilliacus has thrown his hat back in the ring, and this time, he would even be open to working with the Glazers.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “I would have no problem working with the Glazers. They could even hold a minority position where they could continue to enjoy a nice cash flow.

“But at the same time, the club could be developed so that it becomes once again, the best club in the world. And the fans are happy and everybody’s happy. That’s the way I see it.”