Saudi sports minister gives update on buying club from Glazers

Please create a separate thread, keep seeing this bumped but no news, just the regular boring debates.

2mufc0 said:

Please create a separate thread, keep seeing this bumped but no news, just the regular boring debates.

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Agree, should be in a separate thread.
Newcastle Saudis
Utd Saudis
And we debating if we want or not.

matt10000 said:

I haven't read a single post where anyone has said that they believe they can stop this happening just that they don't approve, why they don't approve and how it will impact their relationship with the club.

I haven't read single post where anyone has said that they are convinced that they can bestow their moral standings on others , people are just stating where they stand as an individual.

The fans can be split into various categories:
a. Well aware of MBS record on human rights, executions, murders, imprisonment of protesters, persecution of homosexuals/women, genocide in Yemen
b. Aware that a rich crown prince wants to buy out the Glazers but not know much about his record
c. Not aware of anything

Group a are not going to change their minds, they are well aware of the type or person who wants to run the club and are either for or against
Group b are probably going to be in favour
Group c probably don't care either way.

Group b is where you get people like my brother who was totally in favour until he learnt more about who it was and then changed his mind

No one is trying to bestow their moral standings on others, but people can state their arguments, educate others and let them make their own minds up.

This is what a forum is for discussion and this kind of discussion could get you imprisoned in Saudi.

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I hope they don't end up owning the club. As much as I'd love to have an unlimited fount of wealth. The price is too high. Saudi Arabia are an almost irredeemable state. Just buying Utd isn't gonna magic that away.
That being said, any (billionaires) who could afford the price point of Man Utd today aren't gonna have the cleanest of CVs are they? Big business just doesn't places human rights above profit. It isn't why they exist despite their corporate responsibility mission statements.
The state of the club and the game in general FFS. Money corrupting everything and I know that's a sweeping statement but it's a fact. Just accept it yeah but... Frustrating times

Aren't there other ways to get the fecking Glazers out? Can we not pimp ourselves out to Fenway or someone similar?

I dunno

Jeff Bezos should buy the club just to wind up the Saudis.

golden_blunder said:

Because most fans are Manchester United fans, for better or for worse and in it til the day they die not running off to some other entirely different team

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FC United fans would say MUFC died when Glazer bought the club. I can see both sides of the arguement tbh.

I think local fans appreciate what FC United tried rather than fans from other places, which is understandable too.

16 Beasley Street said:

Jeff Bezos should buy the club just to wind up the Saudis.

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I'm not sure Id deliberately wind up a man who has already chopped up one of my employees and got away with it

sun_tzu said:

I'm not sure Id deliberately wind up a man who has already chopped up one of my employees and got away with it

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Or at least be advised not to enter their embassy.

16 Beasley Street said:

Jeff Bezos should buy the club just to wind up the Saudis.

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Unfortunately he isn't an idiot to spend his money on us.

MDFC Manager said:

Unfortunately he isn't an idiot to spend his money on us.

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He could buy us with the amount of money he is worth goes up in about 21 days. He could buy us like you buy a new TV.

passing-wind said:

There's actually no credible news on this and people are still getting into a frenzy. The reality is irrespective of opinions none of us have the leverage nor influence to derail any board negotiations regarding the sale of the club. It would be no different to when the Glazers first sanctioned the club's purchase. If in a hypothetical world the Saudi's become owners of Manchester United we all have two simple options:

1. Stop supporting the club
2. Remain undeterred (irrespective of belief's).

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Well, if the majority of Manchester United fans, in a visible way, make it clear that they disapprove because of the new owners' human rights record, that might deter the Saudis from buying - because they, first and foremost, do this for PR. Negative PR and more spotlight on their human rights record is something they wouldn't want.

It's kinda different from the Glazer situation that 1) they weren't visibly protested by the majority of United fans (though I agree that probably wouldn't happen this time either) and 2) they wanted to make money and probably figured that the value of the club will grow anyway, even if certain fans are disaffected.

Siorac said:

Well, if the majority of Manchester United fans, in a visible way, make it clear that they disapprove because of the new owners' human rights record, that might deter the Saudis from buying - because they, first and foremost, do this for PR. Negative PR and more spotlight on their human rights record is something they wouldn't want.

It's kinda different from the Glazer situation that 1) they weren't visibly protested by the majority of United fans (though I agree that probably wouldn't happen this time either) and 2) they wanted to make money and probably figured that the value of the club will grow anyway, even if certain fans are disaffected.

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I'll tell you now. If they came in, cleared the debt, installed some decent people, "the majority" would welcome it.

16 Beasley Street said:

Jeff Bezos should buy the club just to wind up the Saudis.

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Rather Saudis than that sociopath.

MDFC Manager said:

Unfortunately he isn't an idiot to spend his money on us.

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Disagree. The club is an absolute money making machine. Even the idiot Glazers making every boneheaded decision possible are making money while the value of the club increases. Imagine this club with competent owner(s)?

Full bodied red said:

Apologies for the ' correction '

Yes....I remember Knighton coming on to the pitch pre-match ( was it the opening match of the season ? ) and doing keepy-uppies in front of the Stretford End.

Didn't Edwards agree to sell to him for something like £ 20 million? Imagine that....£ 20 million, and in our lifetime. I think in the end he couldn't raise the cash so he bought Carlisle instead !!

I don't remember which year was the Sky thing, 2000 sounds about right, although I'm not too ashamed to admit that I had some shares ( ( 50 x £1 shares ) which my GF at the time had bought me for a Christmas Present when she saw them listed in the Small Ads in the MEN and bought them so I could put the share certificate in a picture frame on my bedroom wall as a symbolic gesture, in the very early 70s but which were really worthless. Just symbolic.

Then came the plc thing, and then the Sky thing, and the 50 shares had quickly became about 1,700 shares with mutiple scrip issues and rights issues, and I eventually sold them to the Glazers for about £ 3,000.

Filthy capitalist !! Qui ?? Moi ??

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Ha ha. Yes Knighton was £10 mill if I remembered right and can see him headering that ball now.

Cantonagotmehere said:

We need a separate thread for actual takeover news, and move the high and mighty shite from both sides of the politcal line to another forum.

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Or 3 threads. One for real news, one for Saudis in and one for out. They will be able to agree with one another then, instead or rowing.

In an ideal world we would be purchased by a altruistic saint but any billionaire is going to have more dirt on their hands than they can ever clean.

In fairness to the Saudis even if they are trying to sports wash their image or what ever the buzz phrase is, it shows that they are aware of, and want to improve their image, that can help progress things towards a real change for the better in Saudi.

If we are only willing to criticise and ostracise the Saudis because of their past then how will they ever move forward.

On top of that I do not see any other way that Utd are ever going to get free of the yolk of the Glazers, maybe that is good enough for me, it may be that I am a selfish pig, but I would take any offer that gets rid of the Glazers, allows Utd to use the resources the club generates and their own funds to redevelop the club and its facilities

MDFC Manager said:

Unfortunately he isn't an idiot to spend his money on us.

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Well that could be debatable, he did spend an awful lot on his ex-wife.. just saying.

arthurka said:

Well that could be debatable, he did spend an awful lot on his ex-wife.. just saying.

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Not by choice!

arthurka said:

Well that could be debatable, he did spend an awful lot on his ex-wife.. just saying.

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The one that helped him become one of the richest people in the world you mean?

wolvored said:

Or 3 threads. One for real news, one for Saudis in and one for out. They will be able to agree with one another then, instead or rowing.

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Sounds like a plan to me.

[
Be a lot easier

Zed 101 said:

In an ideal world we would be purchased by a altruistic saint but any billionaire is going to have more dirt on their hands than they can ever clean.

In fairness to the Saudis even if they are trying to sports wash their image or what ever the buzz phrase is, it shows that they are aware of, and want to improve their image, that can help progress things towards a real change for the better in Saudi.

If we are only willing to criticise and ostracise the Saudis because of their past then how will they ever move forward.

On top of that I do not see any other way that Utd are ever going to get free of the yolk of the Glazers, maybe that is good enough for me, it may be that I am a selfish pig, but I would take any offer that gets rid of the Glazers, allows Utd to use the resources the club generates and their own funds to redevelop the club and its facilities

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Kind of how I feel about it too.

Cantonagotmehere said:

We need a separate thread for actual takeover news, and move the high and mighty shite from both sides of the politcal line to another forum.

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This. I keep coming onto this thread thinking we are been sold/bought.

wolvored said:

Yep. Louis was the butcher and Martin just wanted to make a quick buck. Remember 89 when he tried to sell to Michael Knighton? We should have let Sky buy it in 2000 was it? We wouldnt be in this mess now.

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Martin Edwards was a businessman, but he cared about the club. His Dad was chairman too. He headed the board that got Fergie and thankfully didn't sack him. Fergie was supported fairly well to in the transfer market in the late 80 and early 90s. Then through the 90s too.

Knighton became a figure of ridicule because of his idiotic idea to tit around in front of the Stretford End. But in reality other directors of his conpany fronting the takeover backed out and he couldn't get the replacement investors in time. He subsequently became a board member at United for many years to come.

Edwards wasn't just after a 'quick buck' - Knighton's bid of £20m was big money and he made big promises of spending millions on the stadium and team. I think it would have been good if Kighton took over - he recently said he regrets it bitterly and that he'd still be the chairman now and would never have made it a plc or sold to the Glazers.

Regarding the mooted Sky takeover bid, if I remember correctly it was halted because the FA and government laws around competition. Due to Sky's, then, total control of the Premier League and Murdoch's press empire the take over wasn't allowed. It felt wrong at the time that we might be owned by Sky

Zed 101 said:

If we are only willing to criticise and ostracise the Saudis because of their past then how will they ever move forward.

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People are criticising the present regime not their past.

Zed 101 said:

In an ideal world we would be purchased by a altruistic saint but any billionaire is going to have more dirt on their hands than they can ever clean.

In fairness to the Saudis even if they are trying to sports wash their image or what ever the buzz phrase is, it shows that they are aware of, and want to improve their image, that can help progress things towards a real change for the better in Saudi.

If we are only willing to criticise and ostracise the Saudis because of their past then how will they ever move forward.

On top of that I do not see any other way that Utd are ever going to get free of the yolk of the Glazers, maybe that is good enough for me, it may be that I am a selfish pig, but I would take any offer that gets rid of the Glazers, allows Utd to use the resources the club generates and their own funds to redevelop the club and its facilities

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They’re not trying to turn over a new leaf and wanting to use football to do that. They’ve shown zero desire or intent to change their ways. They just want to use a football club to make people forget about what they’re doing.

16 Beasley Street said:

Jeff Bezos should buy the club just to wind up the Saudis.

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Jeff Bezos is even cheaper than the Glazers.

ravi2 said:

If the Saudi's buy the club they would not have investment bankers as the CEO and chief negotiator I can assure you of that.
They will be coming to win titles, like the owners of PSG or City, they will not be purchasing United to come 2nd.

Our current owners dont give a shit where we are on the table, as long as they get paid their dividens.

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Yes, I've said the same in the past. What Saudi ownership could bring is at least a change in people running the club, they will try to get the best in to run it for them but the best are few and far between as are managers.

Short of a consortium of some very rich people and fans like Ratcliffe putting 500m in each and coming together with many other fans putting in 5-100k each in a very concerted effort to buy the club it's hard to see a way out from the Glazers. For most single rich people 3-4b is too much exposure and would be large chunk of their wealth. I wish they'd employ some people to run it properly for them but they don't seem willing. We've had the finances to vastly improve the stadium or build a new one but nothing was done.

We as fans should've been more aware and foresighted enough to have bought the club. It's still possible however remote but it has to be committed and well publicized effort to rescue United and perhaps put money in a sort of escrow over a period of a few years to build up 3-4 billion. Perhaps if our slide continues and there's a large resistance to a Saudi buyout then I could see enough people rally together, people are more aware than back in the 90s 2000s about ownership and shares.

Much of United's problems can be solved if the Glazers just employ some different people to run the club We sat back and watched City role reversal us. Everything they did we should've done in the build up to Fergie leaving.

Infra-red said:

Not by choice!

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Kind of.. Married billionaire doing the rounds will eventually cost you a lot of money in the US.

DBT85 said:

The one that helped him become one of the richest people in the world you mean?

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Yeah you might say he spent it on his lay then. The most expensive lay in the world.

Gary_Walsh_Nou_Camp_Hell said:

Martin Edwards was a businessman, but he cared about the club. His Dad was chairman too. He headed the board that got Fergie and thankfully didn't sack him. Fergie was supported fairly well to in the transfer market in the late 80 and early 90s. Then through the 90s too.

Knighton became a figure of ridicule because of his idiotic idea to tit around in front of the Stretford End. But in reality other directors of his conpany fronting the takeover backed out and he couldn't get the replacement investors in time. He subsequently became a board member at United for many years to come.

Edwards wasn't just after a 'quick buck' - Knighton's bid of £20m was big money and he made big promises of spending millions on the stadium and team. I think it would have been good if Kighton took over - he recently said he regrets it bitterly and that he'd still be the chairman now and would never have made it a plc or sold to the Glazers.

Regarding the mooted Sky takeover bid, if I remember correctly it was halted because the FA and government laws around competition. Due to Sky's, then, total control of the Premier League and Murdoch's press empire the take over wasn't allowed. It felt wrong at the time that we might be owned by Sky

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If Knighton hadn't have made United a PLC, we would never have been the club we are today. The PLC put us years ahead of all our rivals.

choccy77 said:

If Knighton hadn't have made United a PLC, we would never have been the club we are today. The PLC put us years ahead of all our rivals.

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Yeah there were some big benefits to it. But ultimately as a plc the club lost control of it's own destiny. nearly 15 years later saw the true capitalist vultures seizing control.

People have short memories, I mean let's forget what the British empire did and slavery because in the west we move forward but let's not allow an Arab country to change... To be honest I hate the fact that Saudi could buy us, I mean there's many Muslims who don't even agree with the Saudi Royal family but have to get on with it as that's where they go for pilgrim and that's what we should do is lets just get on with supporting the team. Any billionaire who buys us will have some dirt on them whether we like it or not!

16 Beasley Street said:

Jeff Bezos should buy the club just to wind up the Saudis.

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This is a great idea. Somebody needs to Whatsapp him.

Isotope said:

This is a great idea. Somebody needs to Whatsapp him.

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Someone should start a campaign to get Bezos to buy the club, just so he can pi** them off!

red thru&thru said:

Someone should start a campaign to get Bezos to buy the club, just so he can pi** them off!

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Isn't this counter productive? We want to get rid of a ownership who knows nothing about football and bring in another who knows nothing as well. Unless, i missed the news that Bezo is a lifelong UTD/Football fan?

Jinn said:

Isn't this counter productive? We want to get rid of a ownership who knows nothing about football and bring in another who knows nothing as well. Unless, i missed the news that Bezo is a lifelong UTD/Football fan?

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I never realised the Abu Dhabi guy's were lifelong City/football fans? Is this why they've been good?

And if a requirement of being an owner of United is that you are a United/football fan, then we're fine with the current owners.

It's pointless going back and forth when there's really nothing happening.

red thru&thru said:

I never realised the Abu Dhabi guy's were lifelong City/football fans? Is this why they've been good?

And if a requirement of being an owner of United is that you are a United/football fan, then we're fine with the current owners.

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I'm speaking of UTD. Don't care much about City.
Malcolm Glazer was the Utd Fan...i'm yet to be convinced that any of the kids are fans. Did here something about one of the sons, but not sure if that's true or PR bullshit.

Mods can you lock this thread until something actually happens? (it wont)

Jinn said:

I'm speaking of UTD. Don't care much about City.
Malcolm Glazer was the Utd Fan...i'm yet to be convinced that any of the kids are fans. Did here something about one of the sons, but not sure if that's true or PR bullshit.

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Malcolm wasn't a supporter, it is Joel!