The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) has expressed “great concern” following reports that the club’s ongoing takeover talks have been delayed yet again.
United announced in November that its owners, the Glazer family, were considering various options, including a possible sale.
After an expression of interest deadline passed, a second deadline in March was extended by a few days, and while that was widely regarded as the final stage before a preferred bidder was chosen, it has now been reported that a third stage is now underway.
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On Wednesday, Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus announced his withdrawal from the process, calling the situation “a farce,” and MUST has now issued its thoughts on the matter.
“When it was announced in November that the Glazers were undertaking a ‘strategic review’ and inviting offers to buy the club, MUST welcomed the news and went on to urge the majority owners to move ahead with the process with speed, so that any period of uncertainty was as short as possible,” a statement read.
“Nearly five months on, we read speculation that offers from prospective buyers remain below the Glazers’ valuation, and that a third round of offers will now be invited.
“With Erik Ten Hag having made such great progress in his first season, and with the vital summer transfer window a matter of weeks away, the news of these delays and further prolonged uncertainty are of great concern.
“Erik needs to know what resources he has to spend, so he can make the signings the club needs, and the whole management resources of the club need to be focussed on supporting him in that. That cannot be the case with the future ownership so unclear.
“We are also unable to move forward on major investment projects – not least the stadium redevelopment as we remain in limbo.
“We are in dire need of new investment, which undoubtedly requires new ownership. MUST, along with United fans all around the world, are calling for this process to be concluded without further delay.”