It has been announced that bidders for Manchester United are due to begin the due diligence process. This process will involve a detailed investigation into the club’s operations, assets, and financial records to determine its true value. This news comes shortly after rumors began circulating that the Glazer family, the current owners of the club, were willing to sell their stake in Manchester United.
The Glazers have owned the club since 2005, when they acquired it in a controversial leveraged buyout. The family has since been the subject of intense criticism from fans for their perceived lack of investment in the team and for taking money out of the club to pay off debts incurred during the buyout. Manchester United has also struggled in recent years, failing to win the Premier League title since 2013 and missing out on qualification for this season’s Champions League.
Despite these issues, Manchester United remains one of the most valuable football clubs in the world, with Forbes valuing it at $3.8 billion in April 2021. This, coupled with the growing interest in football clubs as investments, has led a number of bidders to express interest in buying the club. In recent weeks, reports have suggested that the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, is considering a bid, as are a number of other wealthy investors.
The news that bidders are set to begin the due diligence process marks a significant step forward in the potential sale of Manchester United. It means that those interested in buying the club will have access to detailed information about its finances, including its revenue, expenses, and debt. This information will be crucial in determining the true value of the club, and in deciding how much each bidder is willing to pay for it.
However, the due diligence process is likely to be complex and time-consuming. Manchester United is a large, complex organization with numerous subsidiaries and business interests, and its finances are subject to a range of regulations and accounting practices. The process could take several months to complete, and any potential buyers will need to be patient and thorough in their investigation.
There are also likely to be a number of challenges that potential buyers will need to overcome in order to acquire Manchester United. The Glazer family is likely to demand a high price for the club, and any buyer will need to be able to demonstrate that they have the financial resources to meet this demand. There may also be issues around the structure of the deal, with the Glazers potentially seeking to retain a stake in the club even after it is sold.
In addition, there is likely to be resistance to any sale from Manchester United’s fans. There is already a significant amount of animosity towards the Glazer family among supporters, who see them as outsiders who have little interest in the club beyond its financial value. Many fans are likely to resist any sale to a foreign investor, and there may be protests or other forms of direct action if a sale goes through.
Despite these challenges, there is no doubt that Manchester United remains an attractive prospect for any potential buyer. The club has a global fan base and a long history of success, and it is one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world of sport. If a bidder can successfully navigate the due diligence process and come to an agreement with the Glazers, then they will have the opportunity to take one of the world’s most famous football clubs to new heights of success.
What will happen to Manchester United if it is sold is unclear at this point. There are likely to be changes in leadership and management, and any new owners may seek to invest heavily in the team in order to bring back the success that the club enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson. There could also be changes to the club’s business model, with new owners potentially seeking to exploit new revenue streams such as streaming or merchandising.
Overall, the news that bidders for Manchester United are set to begin the due diligence process is a significant development in the ongoing saga of the club’s ownership. It remains to be seen who will ultimately acquire the team or what direction they will take it in, but one thing is clear: the future of one of the world’s most iconic football clubs is set to change significantly in the years to come.