‘Situation is desperate’ – Gary Neville shares verdict on latest Manchester United takeover twist

Uniteds co-owners, Joel and Avram Glazer, released a statement in November explaining that the club were searching for fresh investment as part of an evaluation of strategic alternatives. It was never expressly stated whether the Glazer family were seeking to sell the whole club or a partial stake, but both Sheikh Jassim of Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe emerged as interested parties.

However, it has been reported by the Mail on Sunday that the Glazers are planning to take the club off the market after seemingly failing to reach their expected 10bn valuation. The report outlines that the plan had been to create a bidding war for a United takeover, which failed to materialise.

It is said that the Glazers will now consider waiting until 2025 to sell the Reds, with increased TV revenue, the upcoming 2026 World and expanded Club World Cup viewed as potential reasons to drum up more interest from the US. However, United legend Neville, who has been critical of the ownership, does not think that the Glazers have backtracked.

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I dont believe the Glazers not selling/doing anything story, Neville wrote on social media. They have to do something. Theyve run out of money and the financial situation is desperate. They need investment in.

Theyre also having a toxic impact on the club from the inside out. The negligence continues for now but I dont think it can go on without some action on raising funds. Also who would come in as a minority alongside them with the damage it would do to their reputation.

A section of United fans have been vocal in their stance against the Glazers ownership. A sit-in protest, organised by The 1958 Supporters Group, was staged at Old Trafford and saw thousands of supporters stay behind following victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend.

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