Gary Neville claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed 25% investment in Manchester United has raised more questions than it will answer.
Ratcliffe’s group are set to take control of football operations at the Red Devils, should their investment offer be approved.
But club legend Neville, 48, took to X (fka Twitter) on Sunday to list his questions and demands about the takeover process – including the reiteration of his stance that the Glazer family must leave the club to allow Man United to rebuild properly.
Neville noted his five longstanding rules regarding the takeover of Manchester United, including a new training ground and new or renovated stadium – and added a sixth amid the turmoil surrounding the management of the club in recent years.
Neville’s sixth demand read: ‘The club requires leadership that is statesmanlike on major issues that enables a fairer, more inclusive and diverse game. Leadership that builds a positive environment and culture whilst adhering to the clubs values and principles and one that is willing to make tough decisions to prevent an erosion in the clubs public image.’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is to complete a deal for 25 per cent of Manchester United this week
Gary Neville raised questions about the proposed takeover – and demanded the Glazers go
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Following Sheikh Jassim’s withdrawal from the race to become complete owner of Man United, after growing frustrated with the process instigated by the Glazers, it meant a minority move is the most likely next step.
Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan, will pay around £1.4bn for a quarter share at Old Trafford, in the first step in what is being viewed as a staged buyout.
However, despite the 70-year-old’s involvement, it meant that the Glazer family are still involved in the club, to the chagrin of Neville, and many of the club’s long-term fanbase.
Neville asked: ‘How does a minority stakeholder positively impact the club to achieve the above? Can a minority shareholder have any impact on the above. It leaves more questions than answers.
‘My preference is and always will be now for a Glazer family full exit. They have overstayed their welcome in Manchester yet seem oblivious to this fact.’
Neville also listed sixteen questions that were raised as a result of the incoming Ratcliffe group investment, covering issues of governance, the role of the Glazers moving forward, renovating the Old Trafford stadium, and debt levels at Man United among others.
Neville, who played for the club for his entire senior career from 1992 to 2011, is one of many in Man United’s support base who are desperate to see the back of current owners, the Glazer family.
There have been a number of protests since they agreed to sell or take investment of the club last November, with fans demanding a full sale.
The Glazers, who purchased their first tranche of Man United shares in March 2003, completed their full takeover of the club a little over two years later.
In November 2022, the family announced that they were open to a potential sale of the club, either in full or in part. However, the lengthy negotiations have meant that it has taken almost a full year to reach this stage.
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