Ex-Man Utd director provides update on hostile takeover to rid fans of ‘useless’ Glazers

Will Ford
Man Utd chief-executive Richard Arnold and joint chairmen Joel Glazer.

Former Manchester United director Michael Knighton insists the potential hostile takeover of the club is “moving forward”.

There has been growing tension with the fanbase over the Glazers ownership of the club for years, underlined by recent protests.


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Knighton, who made a play to buy United in 1980s but was instead handed a seat on the board of directors, is once again involved in a potantial takeover.

The club is not up for sale, meaning it would have to be a hostile takeover, but Knighton said last month that he was desperate to rid United of the “useless” Glazers.

Knighton previously told Man Utd The Religion: “We are a club in crisis and we all know the reason why. We have an inept and frankly useless ownership who know little about this game of football. Everyone knows that we need new ownership of this football club and that is my aim and those are my objectives.

“I am making good progress, continuing to talk to the people, I have got some good pledges and good finance. We are now working on the offer document. Remember, it is a hostile bid – that simply means that the club isn’t officially for sale. But my intention is to present these owners with a legitimate, potent and commercial offer to say: ‘You have run out of road, it’s time (to) go, because your time is up’.”

And Ratcliffe has now provided Untied fans with an update, taking to social media to thank them for their support and insist “things are moving forward as planned.”

He wrote: ‘Thank you ALL for the wonderful messages of support. There is much going on behind the scenes. Things are moving forward as planned. I apologise I can’t be on this platform more, just bogged down in meetings. God bless & every good wish to all of you. Your support is greatly appreciated.’

Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who made a late bid to buy Chelsea earlier this year, is among those linked with a United bid, and Knighton has previously talked up the owner of Ineos as a potential member of a consortium.