US investors Elliott Management have offered to finance a £2billion upgrade of Old Trafford, amid fears that the Glazer family could remain in charge of Manchester United. The American investors have made the offer as the club awaits responses from Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who have both lodged bids to purchase the Premier League giants.
The Glazers are reportedly asking for around £6billion for a complete takeover, while Ratcliffe’s bid was for a majority stake. Meanwhile, the proposed improvements to the stadium could cost as much as £2billion.
The potential sale of Man Utd has been met with enthusiasm by the club’s fans, who have been protesting against the Glazers’ presence for many years. However, if the American owners remain in charge, it could lead to a mass exodus of players in the summer in order to raise funds for new arrivals.
United have already won the Carabao Cup this season and are still in contention for three other competitions. They face West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday, before the start of their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Betis next week. They are also in with an outside chance of winning the Premier League title, as they sit eight points adrift of table toppers Arsenal.