Manchester United's recent struggles on and off the pitch haven't been enough to deter those hoping to buy the club from the Glazer family.
In fact, both Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe fully intend to follow through with their interest in the Premier League giants. That's despite a lacklustre start to the new season in terms of performance, while controversies continue to cast a dark cloud over the club.
Sky Sports reported both prospective buyers still want to close a deal, with discussions approaching their one-year anniversary in what's been a heavily drawn-out process. United first announced in November 2022 they would launch a 'strategic review' that could end with the Glazers selling the club, with both Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim reportedly offering sums in the region of £5billion.
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It's understood the incumbent owners have extended the sale process in an effort to coax a bigger sum. However, there's a chance the gambit could result in the takeover price actually decreasing, particularly as the club's on- and off-field concerns could make them a less desirable asset.
One source close to the sale told Sky Sports a longer auction will ultimately work against the Glazers in their effort to secure a higher sale sum: "The longer they demand more money, the more the very asset they are trying to sell is being devalued."
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Manager Erik ten Hag and chief executive Richard Arnold have been putting out fires at Old Trafford in all areas over the last few months. Mason Greenwood spent more than 18 months suspended before he was recently loaned to Getafe for the season, having had charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control of a woman dropped earlier in 2023.
It's since emerged that winger Antony is under police investigation in Manchester and his native Brazil after three women came forward alleging he abused them on separate occasions. The South American has been placed on leave while that matter is investigated.
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And even more recently, England international Jadon Sancho was made to train separately from the rest of the squad after a public spat with his employers. Following comments from Ten Hag suggesting the player wasn't training well, Sancho published a social media post saying he was being made into a scapegoat before taking it down.
Then there's the case of Harry Maguire, the former £80million man who was stripped of the club's captaincy this summer and is struggling to make the XI even with a raft of injuries in defence. Any one of those situations might be considered a disaster in isolation, but United are attempting to keep their image intact and the squad together amid the maelstrom.
The Red Devils started this season with two edgy wins from their first three Premier League fixtures but have since suffered back-to-back 3-1 defeats against Arsenal and Brighton. The latter was Ten Hag's first league loss at home since the Seagulls also beat them at Old Trafford a year ago, but hopes for a top-four finish are already looking dimmer.
At the current asking price Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe are reportedly prepared to pay, United could still cement their spot as one of the most valuable sports entities on the planet if a sale goes through. And those suitors are showing a great deal of faith in the club's potential for a resurgence given their ongoing interest in light of near-constant controversy.
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