Manchester United fans have made their sentiments clear over who they want as the club's new owners with the takeover negotiations nearing its business end. On Friday, Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a tour of Old Trafford, but a significant number of Manchester United fans on social media have expressed their desire for Qatar to acquire the club from the Glazers.
Britain's wealthiest man visited the iconic stadium 24 hours after Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and his entourage. As it was, all bidders were given the chance to examine the club's financial situation and potential for growth, as well as discuss the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the training ground as part of the negotiation process.
Reports on Thursday stated that talks between the club, the Raine Group, and Sheikh Jassim's delegation lasted for 10 hours, concluding in the evening and sparking excitement among fans on social media. While the Glazer Family will make the final decision, speculation suggests that the Qataris are leading the bidding war. The news has been widely accepted by supporters on social media, with the majority enthusiastic about the prospect of Qatari ownership.
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's visit to Old Trafford received less praise from Manchester United fans compared to Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani's entourage due to a recent report by Sky Sports. The report revealed that Ratcliffe was interested in becoming a majority shareholder instead of a full buyout, which is preferred by the Qatar delegation and would result in the end of the Glazer Family's involvement at the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS delegation leaving Old Trafford [@danroan] pic.twitter.com/qvK2fumprC
— utdreport (@utdreport) March 17, 2023
On Friday, the INEOS founder was spotted outside Old Trafford meeting chief executive Richard Arnold ahead of the day's tour. It is speculated that he was at the stadium for less than half the number of hours the Qataris spent there. Fans of the club have since taken to social media to express their views on which deegation they preferred as the new owners ahead of crunch time:
Qatari Ownership:
— (@UtdRecord) March 5, 2023
- No debt
- No loans
- No borrowed money
- No financing
- No leverage debt
- No 3rd party
- No shared ownership
- No Glazer involvement
- No bankrolling
Ratcliffe Ownership:
- Opposite to the above
pic.twitter.com/vdIzKmsB9Q
Time Spent at Old Trafford…
— Suhail (@SuhailChowdhary) March 17, 2023
Qatar and Team - Hours
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Team - Minutes
These are the people we want as owners.I speak for all @ManUtd fans all over the world pic.twitter.com/YdW6IFEYED
— (@Linus_4Real) March 17, 2023
Qatari bid Vs. Rat cliff bid pic.twitter.com/NMLgOWo5dL
— G.O.A.T (@AIjugu) March 17, 2023
We don't want Ratcliffe. I'm not convinced he'll be any different from the Glazers.
— God n Mum (@Only1jbdr) March 17, 2023
We want Man United to be Qatari
Now that we have a main coach, we need an owner thst would back him up in pursuit of any player he wants, we don't want to operate in a restricted financial budget. We need our debt paid, so we can be refreshed again. Ratcliffe can't do all of this
— Henry (@HenryValdo10) March 17, 2023
Terrible offer, doesn't match Fan minimum requirements. Taking a loan to buy Man Utd. Just another glazers. That means it's also loans to stadium, training ground and Man Utd own funds for transfers. He is also not seeking to buy out glazers but 51%. Officials happy to stay on
— Timothy Kibet (@timexx47) March 17, 2023
Regardless of how the meeting may pans out with the INEOS Group, I hope the Qatari delegation wins at the end of the day. Because Manchester United need a quick overhaul with top-level, quality players.
— Alex (@AbandaAlex_) March 17, 2023
We want Qatar. Alhamdullilah
— Déz (@dezfootie) March 17, 2023
— 3rd World Country (@3rdworldCountri) March 17, 2023