While the majority of football fans are currently wrapped up in the World Cup, it’s easy to forget that it was all going on at Manchester United just a couple of weeks ago.
In addition to Cristiano Ronaldo leaving in an explosive fashion following his controversial interview with Piers Morgan, just days after his departure was confirmed, United finally got a whiff of the news they’d waited 17 years to hear as the Glazer family revealed they were open to selling the club.
With that in mind, it didn’t take long for the bookmakers to set the odds for who might come in next were the Glazers actually to agree to a sale and while there are some familiar names, others might come as a bit of a surprise.
As you can see, top of the list is no surprise: Failsworth-born billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe leads the odds with an estimated 25% chance of buying out Man United.
Said to be one of the richest men in the UK, Ratcliffe has been seen as arguably the most serious bidder for some time now, despite being told the club was “not for sale” back in October.
Meanwhile, Michael Knighton — who previously hoped to head up a consortium bid involving Ratcliffe’s immense wealth and already tried to buy United more than three decades ago — sits in third, though he’s made it clear that any potential takeover would require help with financing.
Sat in second are the Dubai Sovereign Group, i.e. a state-run fund akin to Manchester City‘s Abu Dhabi Group, PSG’s Qatari owners or Newcastle’s new Saudi Arabia administration.
Dubai are yet to join the premier footballing fray when it comes to putting the wealth of an entire nation’s investment fund into a sporting franchise but it seems like only a matter of time before they do.
Then there’s Jim O’Neill, a.k.a, the Lord and Baron of Gatley, who previously tried to launch a hostile takeover back in 2012. He hasn’t been in the conversation for some time but given his Goldman Sachs background, could be a serious option.
As for David Beckham, we imagine he’s too busy running Inter Miami and his part in Salford City via the Project 92 ownership group — though that Qatar money certainly won’t have hurt his chances. And, again, who knows, he could form part of a consortium.
Jim O’Neill (via GOV.UK)Credit: David Beckham (via Instagram)
On to US investors with the Harris/Blitzer Group, owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, as well as the Pagliuca/Tanenbaum Group, who run the Boston Celtics and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Both groups have expressed interest in buying Premier League clubs in the past and as we have seen with Chelsea’s recent takeover, there seems to be a growing interest from American businesses even if not everyone is convinced that their designs on English football are a great fit.
Then we come to ‘The Field’. For anyone unaware, this group is made up of inherited Red Bull owner, Mark Mateschitz, who not only owns the Formula One team but also RB Leipzig, Salzburg and several other sports teams. He is estimated to be worth more than $15 billion.
Beyond Mateschitz, the trio is completed by two of the richest men in the world, i.e. Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. Yep, those guys.
This list is by no means exhaustive and, as always in football, who knows what’s going to happen next? Any one of these suitors could emerge as the leading candidate but there’s always a dark horse waiting in the wings.
Moreover, it isn’t just a case of ‘anyone would be better than the Glazers’ — nothing but trouble follows that way — so whoever the club decide to hand over the reins to, you can only hope they go through the proper vetting process.
Is there anyone else you think has an outside chance?
Kobbie Mainoo asked Manchester United for a loan away – and the club rejected him
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo has recently asked for a loan move this season, but his employers have reportedly rejected his request.
The Man United academy graduate and young England midfielder is widely considered one of the brightest prospects in the club, not to mention admired in the Three Lions camp already.
After breaking into the first team under Erik ten Hag (having previously been thrown into senior training by Ole Gunnar Solskjær), he was quickly identified as one of the best players United have in the middle of the park, having also scored a number of important goals in big games.
However, Mainoo has somehow found himself not quite in the starting XI under Ruben Amorim – much to the frustration of many supporters and, unsurprisingly, the player himself – leading the Stockport-born starlet to consider the loan market for game time.
Probably the best case scenario for us if the manager isn’t going to play his best pivot player despite having the easiest midfield in the league to play against…
As reported by The Athletic and multiple outlets, Amorim and the powers that be at Man United have made it clear they do not want to loan him out this summer.
Not only do they have no intention of sanctioning a spell away this season, but the manager and the board have reiterated that they want him to stay and fight for his place.
For any Reds fearing that this could ultimately mean the worst for Mainoo at Old Trafford, fret not; it is said that the 20-year-old has no intention of pursuing a permanent transfer away from his boyhood club.
Put simply, the academy graduate wants to guarantee himself not just more regular game time but crucially first team minutes during these crucial early stages of his development as a footballer – something he’s still not sure he’ll get under the Portuguese head coach.
Nevertheless, the United boss has assured that he wants Mainoo, even if he isn’t quite the right fit for his system at the moment/has more to learn about the role he is being asked to play.
It’s fair to say that the revelations have rocked a good chunk of the fan base, with plenty calling for Mainoo to be dropped straight back into the starting lineup.
However, some are urging patience on all sides. One user on X wrote: “Not starting every week at 20 doesn’t mean you need a loan — it means you need patience. Respect the shirt, fight for the spot. If the bench at United breaks your spirit, good luck making a World Cup squad.”
On the other hand, footballer podcaster Alice Abrahams commented: “The fact that it’s reached a point where Mainoo has asked to leave on loan, because he feels that getting away is the best move for his development is frightening, especially when he offers so many solutions in midfield to a lot of Amorim’s problems, both in build-up and centrally is WORRYING.
“And the fact that Amorim doesn’t see him is an answer to that [problem] is deeply worrying.”
What do you make of the situation with Kobbie Mainoo at the moment, Reds, and while you’re here, what do you make of the Man United manager not watching his side’s historic penalty shootout defeat to League Two Grimsby Town?
Huge new premium indoor golf venue with ‘cutting-edge’ tech to open at Quayside MediaCity
Emily Sergeant
Time to get practicing your swing, as a huge new premium indoor golf venue is opening up over in Salford this autumn.
Founded by a local PGA Professional and spanning a whopping 4,500 sq ft of state-of-the-art space, TeeClub is set to be a revolutionary new venture where cutting-edge technology meets luxurious comfort at the unique waterside destination.
TeeClub will provide a first-of-its-kind premium environment with seven high-tech Trackman simulators, taking players to more than 450 world-famous courses including St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and more.
The new venue is also launching a partnership with sports equipment brand TaylorMade, so golf fans can either bring their own clubs to use on the day, or make use of TaylorMade equipment available if needed.
Resident PGA professionals will offer personalised lessons with AI-driven video analysis when the venue opens later this year, while a dedicated club fitter will make sure every swing is matched with the right equipment.
There’ll also be a club shop stocking TaylorMade gear alongside apparel from Manchester-based brand, Concrete Links Co.
The new venue is designed for both individuals and businesses alike, and will offer exclusive memberships and corporate packages, as well as semi-private bays and interactive gaming modes, making it an ideal place for team-building events or relaxed evenings with friends.
A huge new premium indoor golf venue with ‘cutting-edge’ tech is opening at Quayside MediaCity / Credit: Supplied
There’ll also be bar on site serving coffee, pizzas, snacks, wine, and craft beers.
“Our vision for TeeClub is to create an indoor golf experience that combines the authenticity of the sport with modern luxury,” commented Nick Holmes, who is a PGA Professional and the Director of Golf at TeeClub, ahead of the venue opening this autumn.
“Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn, a corporate group hosting an event, or an experienced golfer, TeeClub will provide the tools, technology, and atmosphere.”
Danny Jones -
30th November 2022 
