Club Sale | It’s done!

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Raiden Shogun

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As Gary Neville said, is it not better to try and integrate these places into the western world and reforms etc will most likely follow? I think it’s pretty likely that will happen in the next 50 years or so.
Oh so now that one of 'these places' is buying United it's fine because it will help 'integrate' them into the western world's values? I wonder, where was this thinking (mental gymnastics) when one of 'these places' took over City, PSG and Newcastle? Sorry mate but this is selling out to become a Qatari plaything just like PSG. I respect United for their history and doing things the right way, you don't need a sugar daddy, just an owner who cares enough to allow the club to spend what it brings in.

Obviously not the fans fault, this will be a final parting 'gift' from the Glazers.

And for what it's worth, there was a lot of anger when Barca (my club) put Qatar Airways on the shirt. Bayern too iirc.
 

Red in STL

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What’s a “class B action”?
There are class A shares that have voting rights and class B shares that don't, class B are the ones that the Glazer's sold to raise money and are the ones quoted on the stock market, I'm not sure whether class A shares are quoted or not
 

Giggsyking

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The Premier League and by extension all of its clubs are rising in value each year due to TV contracts and general global inflation. Therefore, if they wanted to wait a few years they would walk away with a lot more money, they could.This is why I think they're allegedly raising the bar on the price - they don't have to sell and won't unless they receive an exceptional bid.
5b is an exceptional bid. But I think bids will be raised to 5.5b and it will be a world record fee. They surely cant reject a world record fee..
 

rimaldo

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apparently “fan prima nocta” is one of the conditional clauses on the qatari bid.
 

NiceGuyEddie

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Would it though ? The stock price would revert to the mean, but with United once again on the ascendancy and with the prospect of a Super League back in the narrative, why would they cash out now when they could do so for double in a decade or so.
That's the gamble. I like to thing we've turned a corner, but there's no guarantee this run of good form will continue into next season. If we had something to show for it, then perhaps worth hanging on. But then there's the risk of us taking a nose-dive into mediocrity again. I guess it boils down to how long the Glazers are prepared to wait. None of them are getting any younger. Right now, we appear to be in a very good position, easily the best it's felt since Fergie retired, and it just feels like a good time to sell, whilst still being able to command a very decent valuation.
 

Infra-red

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What’s a “class B action”?
There are class A shares that have voting rights and class B shares that don't, class B are the ones that the Glazer's sold to raise money and are the ones quoted on the stock market, I'm not sure whether class A shares are quoted or not
The Class B shares are held by the Glazers. They have 10x the voting rights of the Class A shares floated on NYSE.
 

Raoul

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That's the gamble. I like to thing we've turned a corner, but there's no guarantee this run of good form will continue into next season. If we had something to show for it, then perhaps worth hanging on. But then there's the risk of us taking a nose-dive into mediocrity again. I guess it boils down to how long the Glazers are prepared to wait. None of them are getting any younger. Right now, we appear to be in a very good position, easily the best it's felt since Fergie retired, and it just feels like a good time to sell, whilst still being able to command a very decent valuation.
I think for them its all about generational wealth for them. Their old man was worth $4b when he died, most of which was presumably passed down to the kids, so its not as if they're skint for cash in their personal lives right now. It would be a bit like trading out of a position to cash in now when many feel the stock will be worth far more in a few years.
 

Ottawa MLS Fan

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There are so many outstanding questions with these bids that it is really difficult to rank them on their own merit (political considerations aside).

We are hearing that the Glazers want 6B, but is that 6B for their shares, or is that the valuation of the whole club, and their shares would be 4B or so? Are both bidders intending to purchase the rest of the shares, or only the Qataris?

I read somewhere that INEOS would borrow to pay off the existing debt, and take it on themselves, but I don’t remember an actual INEOS statement to that effect.

People are assuming that the Qatari bid would clear the existing debt, but I don’t think their statement explicitly said that, only that ‘the bid will be completely debt-free’, not that the club will be debt-free after the sale.

What about the transfer debt? I assume that stays because it isn’t really debt, it is scheduled payments to other clubs, and paying bills before they are due isn’t something businessmen like doing.

What are their plans for Old Trafford? Both will invest in the stadium, but is that a new 100,000 seat stadium or a couple of big buckets of red paint?
 

Chesterlestreet

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There are class A shares that have voting rights and class B shares that don't, class B are the ones that the Glazer's sold to raise money and are the ones quoted on the stock market, I'm not sure whether class A shares are quoted or not
It's the other way around, isn't it?

The A shares are listed, the B shares are not.

And the B shares are more valuable in terms of voting rights (ten times more).

Woodward is the only non-Glazer who owns the "heavier" type of share.
 

George The Best

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They will sell majority to Sir Jim and stay as minor owner.
They won’t want to stay as a minor owner imo. If they do then they will have to provide ‘minor’ investment towards the redevelopment of the club. That, amongst their need for cash, is why they won’t hang on. They are selling because they will make a fortune for next to no outlay, and can’t afford to make the much needed investment the club so desperately needs.
 

Red in STL

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\
It's the other way around, isn't it?

The A shares are listed, the B shares are not.

And the B shares are more valuable in terms of voting rights (ten times more).

Woodward is the only non-Glazer who owns the "heavier" type of share.
You maybe right - it's one or the other anyway
 

McTerminator

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He obviously isn't trying to antagonize our global support on purpose. However, the phrase is...I dunno, stupid? MAGA like? Most likely hollow as feck too?

When you see some of the reactions to it, though, it's very obvious that there's a genuine divide between some of our global support and the local, match going fans/the community: I've said this before, but some global fans seem positively disinterested (at best) in the fact that the football club actually has its roots in...Manchester.
The brand transcends the location. I’m Manchester born and raised, but anyone that doesn’t accept that as fact is kidding themselves. Leave the stadium Where it is and leave the naming rights alone, beyond that, crack on I say.

EDIT: I think I’m agreeing with you by the way:confused:
 

Rightnr

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These guys :lol: . They can literally pull an extra billion or two as a parent pulls out a pound or two for extra pocket money. Just insane.

You almost have to wonder if this whole 'selling process' is about looking like the Glazers didn't just sell to them outright but gave others like Jimmy R a chance.
 

Tincanalley

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Agreed, I was born in Ireland and lived in London for most of my life and support United because my dad does. I get to maybe 10 games (including the women's team) a year and obviously watch every game I can but the fans who go every week are obviously the most important. They're the ones who are there to cheer the team on and who are part of the community around the club. It doesn't mean that United's fanbase around the world isn't important, it obviously is massively important given what a global brand the club is, but there's a difference between having an empty Old Trafford and having 75,000 fewer people watching on TV or on streams.
Weird how this even has to be explained
 

George The Best

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It's the other way around, isn't it?

The A shares are listed, the B shares are not.

And the B shares are more valuable in terms of voting rights (ten times more).

Woodward is the only non-Glazer who owns the "heavier" type of share.
Correct, the B shares are the one’s that the Glazer’s own and are the valuable ones. Not sure how it works under NYSE rules, but in the UK an entity buying a majority share is obliged to offer the same terms to minority holders I think.
 

jm99

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The Premier League and by extension all of its clubs are rising in value each year due to TV contracts and general global inflation. Therefore, if they wanted to wait a few years they would walk away with a lot more money, they could.This is why I think they're allegedly raising the bar on the price - they don't have to sell and won't unleoss they receive an exceptional bid.
I'm sure similar things have been said about any investment that's been continually rising before it crashes. Plenty of people in 2021 will have said bitcoin will continue to rise, because of advancing technology, wider awareness and more people investing for a potential return. Then it crashed.

The club needs investment to stay competitive, that they clearly aren't willing to provide given the weghorst signing in January. Newcastle will spend this summer, City will spend this summer, Arsenal will probably spend this summer, Chelsea are likely to spend another billion this summer :lol:

Ten Hag is working wonders with this team, but he can't perform miracles. There's no guarantee tv contracts will continue to rise, in a world with so many major events happening in the last few years, who's to say something won't come along to tank the value of clubs. 5 billion now is better than 6 billion is 3 years. You should be able to get a 20% return in that time with that kind of cash
 

city-puma

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There are so many outstanding questions with these bids that it is really difficult to rank them on their own merit (political considerations aside).

We are hearing that the Glazers want 6B, but is that 6B for their shares, or is that the valuation of the whole club, and their shares would be 4B or so? Are both bidders intending to purchase the rest of the shares, or only the Qataris?

I read somewhere that INEOS would borrow to pay off the existing debt, and take it on themselves, but I don’t remember an actual INEOS statement to that effect.

People are assuming that the Qatari bid would clear the existing debt, but I don’t think their statement explicitly said that, only that ‘the bid will be completely debt-free’, not that the club will be debt-free after the sale.

What about the transfer debt? I assume that stays because it isn’t really debt, it is scheduled payments to other clubs, and paying bills before they are due isn’t something businessmen like doing.

What are their plans for Old Trafford? Both will invest in the stadium, but is that a new 100,000 seat stadium or a couple of big buckets of red paint?
I think both Ratcliffe and Qatari bids are not for profit for sure. Ratcliffe’s plan is more vague at the moment. It’s not unreasonable considering this is the round one, isn’t it?
 

jm99

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you can a get a 2.5x in 10 years in index funds with way lot less risk and hassle, and no need for a super league for your pay-off
This is something everyone seems to be missing. With that kind of money, there are a ton of ways to guarantee a huge return, far beyond risking it on a football club. That's why I feel any bid other than middle Eastern is likely to long term want to see a return, and it's hard to visualise they can do that without taking a lot of money out of the club before eventually selling it on again
 

Chief123

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Could just be pressure tactics, they know what they're doing. To actually walk away at this point would be a massive gamble for the Glazers.
Not only a gamble but hugely damaging for them as sellers in having any kind of integrity when it comes to attracting buyers next time round. Also the fact the toxic hate towards them will only amplify (whether it bothers them or not it has an affect on their asset and reputation). I can imagine the stock price plummeting back to pre November levels too if news breaks that they aren’t selling. Reports saying ETH and the players are happy with the sale and the prospects it brings. It would just be a terrible step for Glazers to take in so many ways.

I fully expect them to exit and this is just billionaire businessmen trying to get the best deal for themselves whether they are the buyer or seller.
 

Red in STL

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I think both Ratcliffe and Qatari bids are not for profit for sure. Ratcliffe’s plan is more vague at the moment. It’s not unreasonable considering this is the round one, isn’t it?
In terms of bidding they don't need plans, all they need is proof of ability to cough up the readies to pay for their bid.

They don't need to provide details of any plans to me, you or anyone else
 

Giggsyking

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So I guess he and the guy from Qatar claiming to be a life long Liverpool fan are two peas from the same pod then.
As soon as the videos of him talking about his Liverpool support surfaced, news directly came out that he will not be involved in the club, they cant be stupid enough to someone as CEO who supports Liverpool. There is a reason they chose a lifelong united fan to be the face of the process.
 

Raoul

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I'm sure similar things have been said about any investment that's been continually rising before it crashes. Plenty of people in 2021 will have said bitcoin will continue to rise, because of advancing technology, wider awareness and more people investing for a potential return. Then it crashed.

The club needs investment to stay competitive, that they clearly aren't willing to provide given the weghorst signing in January. Newcastle will spend this summer, City will spend this summer, Arsenal will probably spend this summer, Chelsea are likely to spend another billion this summer :lol:

Ten Hag is working wonders with this team, but he can't perform miracles. There's no guarantee tv contracts will continue to rise, in a world with so many major events happening in the last few years, who's to say something won't come along to tank the value of clubs. 5 billion now is better than 6 billion is 3 years. You should be able to get a 20% return in that time with that kind of cash
Yeah but the Premier League is a tangible asset and probably the most valuable sport league in the world outside the US, and its value will only rise as it continues to grow in exposure and global fanbase. The fact that United are once again on the cusp of winning trophies will only accelerate the rise of the club's value. In such a circumstance, the current owners won't be under any pressure to sell - instead, they could just as easily stay with what they have and stick around for a few more years to cash in later.
 
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