Man Utd takeover latest: Sheikh Jassim to axe FOUR players

Stuart Telford

• 1 Oct 2023 11:10 BST
• 3 min read

Four players in particular are in the firing line if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is successful in his attempt to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family.

There has been significant frustration from the clubs' support over much of the last year, with the Glazers first inviting bids for the club in November, but recently walking away from negotiations to remain in charge.

Qatari Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, formerly the UK's richest man, were both understood to have lodged bids in excess of £5 billion, but the Glazers, whose father Malcom bought the club for £800m in 2005, want more than £6bn.

READ: Man Utd takeover: The TRUTH behind the stalemate

Recent reports have emerged that both men are considering upping their bid to what would be a record purchase for a sports team, and if Jassim wins, he is tipped to part ways with four players in particular.

Sancho in trouble

In a report for the Daily Express, Jack McEachen singles out Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire as those who will be dispensed with first.

Sancho got into a public spat with manager Erik ten Hag recently after the Dutchman questioned his commitment in training, while Martial has fallen behind Rasmus Hojlund in the pecking order of strikers at Old Trafford.

READ: Man Utd 'vulnerable' to FIFA charge over Sancho as Keane tells winger to show 'humility'

McTominay and Maguire both came close to leaving in the summer, meanwhile. Bayern Munich and Fulham had both wanted the former before the transfer of Joao Palhinha between the clubs fell through, while West Ham were interested in both players.

The Hammers even agreed a £30m fee for Maguire, but the England centre-back baulked at the reduced wages on offer and decided to dig his heels in at Old Trafford.

The four players are floundering under Ten Hag, but Jassim might also have other ideas about his manager, and a new man could give the players a new lease of life, which is what they will now be hoping for.