Man Utd investors ‘have takeover theory’ as Glazer family make unusual move

Manchester United are still yet to publish their annual financial results in a move from the Glazer family that could be linked to their protracted takeover saga.

The Premier League outfit are closing in on the one-year anniversary since their American billionaire owners invited offers for the club but there has been no offer accepted, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe leading the race to buy control. But investors have reportedly been left in the dark about the current state of the club’s finances.

Speculation is rife that there has been a delay to factor in news about the club’s potential new owners. However, it is also quite possible that the Glazers are simply waiting for the opportune time to release their 2023 numbers – a move that may add to the frustration felt by United fans who have made their position on their owners abubndantly clear.

The Daily Mail reports that budgets are ‘tight’ at the club, with long-term projects shelves and ‘virtually off the table’ until more developments are made in determining what their revenues are. It is estimated by the club that United’s forecasted revenues could reach as high as £650million, which would represent a huge climb from their 2022 results of around £580m.

The Red Devils have taken the unusual step of waiting until October without announcing their figures for the financial year ending June 2023. In nine out of the last 10 years, United have announced these results in September.

The Glazers are under no obligation to post their yearly report until the regulatory cut-off, which is not due for another few weeks. But the uncertainty is causing more angst amongst the fanbase and potentially investors too.

Back in 2020, investors were made to wait until as late as October 21 before they were able to see the report, which included eye-watering losses of £118m due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This similar delay may give a similar cause for concern while the club remain in limbo. Recent reports suggest Ratcliffe may now be interested in a deal that would see him own a 25 per cent stake in the club, allowing the Glazers to retain their majority share.

Last November, the Glazer siblings announced that they were intending to explore ‘strategic alternatives’, including fielding offers to sell the club, as they eyed a huge profit on the £780m leveraged deal agreed by their father Malcolm in 2005.

It is understood that United – who hired US firm Raine to handle the takeover process – received multiple bids from Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim, with the highest exceeding £5bn.

United fans held their latest protest outside Old Trafford before their 2-1 win over Brentford on Saturday with banners and signs urging the Glazer brothers, Avram and Joel, to sell up. As of yet, there is still no decision some 11 months down the line.