Erik ten Hag is facing the prospect of missing out on summer transfer targets while the future ownership of Manchester United remains up in the air. Senior footballing figures at Old Trafford are increasingly concerned the drawn-out saga over the club’s sale will hamper the manager’s summer rebuild.
And there is also a fear any advantage secured by securing Champions League football for next year risks being squandered as major targets opt to go elsewhere. United, who need two wins from their final three games to secure a top four spot, have been up for sale since last November.
But the two public bidders who have lodged offers, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Qatar-based Nine Two Foundation fronted by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, appear no nearer the finishing line.
Given the domestic transfer window opens on June 13, the international one on July 1 and United go on tour in mid-July, Ten Hag wants to conclude major transfer dealings as soon as possible.
Yet the sale process could still need a month to conclude given a preferred bidder would still need time to go through United’s finances to establish due diligence. With other Champions League clubs jostling for the best talent – United are interested in Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Goncalo Ramos amongst others – there is a fear they could miss out.
United are also hoping to tie down Marcus Rashford to another deal with his current contract up next summer but his representatives want the ownership situation resolved before they negotiate. There is speculation that the Qatari-based bidders might be about to increase their offer over the £5billion already tabled.
And those rumours were fuelled by the sight of Avram Glazer being pictured leaving Claridge’s hotel in London on Monday morning. The hotel is owned by Sheikh Jassim’s father.
The club’s part-owner attended the Women’s FA Cup final at the weekend between Chelsea and Manchester United and remained in England’s capital the following day. It is only the second United match all season a member of the Glazer family has attended after the Carabao Cup final in February.
Discussing Avram’s presence at Wembley three months ago, Ten Hag said: “He was really happy for the club as an owner. He wants to be part of it, you feel that, and he was in the dressing room. It was very good he was here and to show his intentions.”
