Andy Gray backs Sheikh Jassim’s Man Utd takeover bid and claims ‘no downsides’
Manchester United followers ought to welcome Qatari funding from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani if he wins the takeover race, in response to former Scotland worldwide Andy Gray. Sheikh Jassim has reportedly overwhelmed Sir Jim Ratcliffe to a cope with the Glazer household, which might seemingly immediate an inflow of funds into United.
According to The Sun, the Qatari royal is ready to finish a full £6billion takeover at Old Trafford by mid-October.
His representatives are allegedly finishing their due diligence, and a 100 per cent sale announcement might come as early as this month.
The Glazers are mentioned to have determined to money in on United after being warned of the heightened backlash they might face in the event that they concluded an almost-year-long course of by staying put.
Sheikh Jassim has vowed to wipe the membership’s hovering debt – the most recent monetary figures confirmed it has reached £725m, the very best since 2010.
And he may even closely spend money on upgrading United’s iconic Old Trafford stadium and Carrington coaching services, alongside injecting funds into Erik ten Hag’s squad.
The divisive method of the involvement of Gulf states like Qatar and Saudi Arabia in soccer will undoubtedly harbour mass criticism if Sheikh Jassim comes out on high.
But Gray believes United followers ought to rejoice if Sheikh Jassim comes into management, ending the Glazers’ unpopular 18-year reign.
Gray informed the Mail on Sunday: “If I supported United, I’d welcome the Qatar bid. They’d clear the debt, rebuild the stadium and sign the best players. Where is the downside in that?
“Qatar is not excellent, however there is not a rustic which is. They hosted in all probability the perfect World Cup we have seen. The organisation was nice, and there was no bother.”
The Glazers announced a ‘strategic review’ last November, which included a potential sale, sparking the emergence of interested parties.
Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe – Britain’s richest man and a boyhood United fan – quickly became the top contenders to seal a deal.
But a handful of US hedge funds also registered their interest, offering minority investment that would allow the Glazers to retain control in M16.
Recent reports suggested that the American family plan to take United off the market in the hope of the club’s value skyrocketing in the next couple of years.
However, sources close to the process have since poured cold water on those claims, with negotiations still on as the Glazers hold firm on their asking price.
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