The manager of Manchester United is confident Manchester that the transfer plans will not be affected by their ownership change; Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted an increased fourth bid with Sir Jim Ratcliffe also a contender; watch Manchester United vs Chelsea live on Best Sports on Thursday (8 pm kick-off) A potential takeover has been stalling after the Glazer family announced they were considering selling the club as part of “exploring strategic alternatives” in November. Sir Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are the two main parties jostling to buy United having lodged bids with merchant bank Raine Group.
Minority investment has not been ruled out yet either. While the landscape around who will have control of United ahead of the new season is uncertain, Ten Hag believes he will be able to shape the squad as required during the summer window. When asked whether the delayed takeover process was affecting transfer strategy or if he was able to press on with the recruitment team, the United manager told Best Sports News: “Yeah, that’s what I’m doing and that’s our job. “This season that has to be our energy and the focus, but of course we are also planning for the future, for next season and that’s what we have to do. And that is also talking with your scouting department, recruitment responsibilities, and talking with players of course.”
When asked if the club would be able to move for their key targets this summer if there was no change in the ownership situation, Ten Hag his response said: “I think so. I came in here at the end of] last season and we talked about what can we do in the squad, and what can we do in transfers.
“And last year, the club confirmed they can do it. So, for me, I don’t think anything changed and yeah, in this summer period we can do the same.”
United have highlighted signing a top forward and dynamic midfielder among their chief to-do tasks in the window.
While it is business as usual regarding recruitment and other practices at the club, there is some trepidation that an opposite direction and even different personnel could accompany a new ownership group.
As things stand, United are certain good groundwork has been laid for the summer window.
The big unknown is whether there will be a change in ownership and agreement with that planning.
Best Sports News revealed last week that Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani had submitted an increased fourth bid to buy Manchester United.
Sheikh Jassim’s renewed offer, believed to be close to £5 billion but shy of the Glazer family’s £6 billion valuation, was submitted to the Raine Group, the New York-based investment bank overseeing the sale of the club.
The third and final round of bidding concluded on April 28 but, with reports claiming a revised offer from Sir Ratcliffe and INEOS had put them in pole position to acquire United, Jassim has moved again.
Sheikh Jassim believes his bid is a very competitive one which brings considerable benefits to Manchester United, including clearing nearly £1 billion worth of club debt and a separate fund to redevelop Old Trafford, the surrounding area and the club’s Carrington training ground.
INEOS values United at a higher price than Jassim’s bid but it is not for the whole club and would allow the Glazers to keep a 20 per cent stake.