Man Utd takeover: Third round of bids commence

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 11 Apr 2023 16:03 BST
• 3 min read

The Glazers have launched a third round of bidding for Manchester United, with seven potential buyers in the running.

Sportico reports that the Raine Group has set the deadline for the end of April. The Glazers have rejected revised second offers, and they are now holding out for higher bids, causing frustration and delay. However, the Mail suggests that the sale process will progress in the coming days.

The Glazers are considering all options, including minority investment, to retain control. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are front-runners for a full-scale takeover. With the summer transfer window approaching, potential buyers fear they will not acquire the club in time.

READ MORE: Maguire decides Man Utd future

The Glazers are expected to invite leading bid contenders for negotiations this week to establish the highest possible price. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim will soon learn the next steps.

Meanwhile, Manchester United is preparing for a Europa League match against Sevilla, having drawn 2-2 against Celta Vigo on Friday night.

In European competition this season, Manchester United will face their fourth La Liga opponent, as they get underway in the quarterfinals of the competition.

Ten Hag has already won the League Cup and now hopes to win another cup competition, while the Red Devils also have Champions League qualification in their sights.

Ten Hag on fixture congestion

The Dutchman recently hit out over the heavy schedule at a press conference.

He said: "He played against Fulham, he played against Betis, he’s playing for England so he’s fit, he’s ready to play and the thinking is we have the craziest schedule from all the Premier League teams," Ten Hag told BT Sport.

"We have three games to cover in six days - which is not right, but we have to deal with it. I see it as a project but I also know you need results. We are in a perfect situation, we couldn’t expect we were in this situation when we started last year in June - let’s be honest.

"We are in the top four, we are in the quarter-final of the Europa League, we are in the semi-final of the FA Cup and we already have a cup in our pocket, so what could be better?"