Club Sale | It’s done!

[hellhunter]

Who do you want to buy us?

I don't know, really. None of the potential buyers are perfect.

My point is, it's one thing to make your peace with being bought by the middle east and becoming a sportswashing project, but actually welcoming it and being all pumped and giddy about it, is a bit much for my liking

 

[Desert Eagle]

Funny seeing people backtrack and trying to justify state ownership.
feck that shit.. absolutely not ok.
Not that the club will miss me... I'm irrelevant and I know that.. but I'm not going to sit and pretend its all good and be fine with it.

Good on you and I'm feeling similar.

You say that but I have yet to come across many Newcastle fans that aren’t enjoying life under state ownership better than under Mike Ashley (their ‘Glazers’). Once Mbappe et al step out onto the Etihad pitch (OT being rebuilt) in a red jersey you’ll soon get over it.

Because those that weren't ok with it probably just stopped being fans. Like prateik said the club won't miss those of us who draw a red line at state ownership, plenty of people to replace us.

 

[golden_blunder]

Let’s be honest, it’s now nearly 2023. The days of Jack Walker types owning a club and investing their own money is long gone. Very few people in the world can afford to do that without expecting a ROI. I’ve accepted this is where we are at. If it’s oil money, it is what it is. Part of me thinks it would be better for the club than more American investors looking for regular large dividends. We are more likely to see stadium redevelopment, the neighbouring community invested in, training ground investment, staff etc.

 

[Sultan]

The sharia law is a humiliation of human nature.
Disgraceful post the least

It was a tongue-in-cheek comment by the poster. Relax, there will be no implementation of Shariah law at Old Trafford. Your human nature comment whatever that means, will not be affected.

 

[RexHamilton]

Objective - The defined goals to be achieved by the organisation.

I don't know anyone personally who has that kind of money and what their overall reasoning would be in buying the club. However, going back to my original point, " being bought by an organisation that their primary target isn't earning money, but allowing the club to flourish to its full potential", is what I stand by and not too sure what is difficult to understand about this statement?

Because it's untrue. The main objective for anyone buying Manchester United in the new year is either profit or sport-washing. That's where we are unfortunately. It's not like it's a new phenomenon, all our owners for the best part of the club's existence have been business men who wanted to make money.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Good on you and I'm feeling similar.



Because those that weren't ok with it probably just stopped being fans. Like prateik said the club won't miss those of us who draw a red line at state ownership, plenty of people to replace us.

True enough, it’s a bit of a moral dilemma really.

 

[Rozay]

Who do you want to buy us?

Unicef probably.

 

[Sultan]

Let’s be honest, it’s now nearly 2023. The days of Jack Walker types owning a club and investing their own money is long gone. Very few people in the world can afford to do that without expecting a ROI. I’ve accepted this is where we are at. If it’s oil money, it is what it is. Part of me thinks it would be better for the club than more American investors looking for regular large dividends. We are more likely to see stadium redevelopment, the neighbouring community invested in, training ground investment, staff etc.

Absolutely.

Reality doesn't equate to sentiment.

 

[GMoore23]

Funny seeing people backtrack and trying to justify state ownership.
feck that shit.. absolutely not ok.
Not that the club will miss me... I'm irrelevant and I know that.. but I'm not going to sit and pretend its all good and be fine with it.

Your not irrelevant as there could be half a million fans with the same thoughts as you.

 

[red thru&thru]

Because it's untrue. The main objective for anyone buying Manchester United in the new year is either profit or sport-washing. That's where we are unfortunately. It's not like it's a new phenomenon, all our owners for the best part of the club's existence have been business men who wanted to make money.

I never spoke about any new owners reasoning for buying the club. I said their main objective should be to make Manchester United the best club, both on and off the pitch.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

The potential sale of the club is the biggest off-field event since Sir Alex retired

Who the owners are in a few months time will depend how successful Manchester United will be over the foreseeable future

Could be owners who run the club into the ground (Glazers deciding not to sell, or another US consortium buying in)

Could be owners who genuinely want to see United become the best team in the world and put success ahead of profits

It's so important and I'm desperate to have an idea on who will bid

 

[Mickeza]

If new owners clear the debt and find a finance model to fund the stadium externally then there’s absolutely no reason why we wouldn’t have the financial muscle to compete. The club makes more than enough hence why we have the highest net spend in football the last decade and had the highest wage bill in EPL history last season - and we still paid out hundreds of millions in dividends and debt payments in that time on top. The club is a financial behemoth that will only grow further under an ownership which doesn’t create toxicity for the brand. The Glazer model of draining the club of debt repayments and dividends whilst still increasing the asset value has run its course - but a Boehly approach of investing now to grow the asset in the long term would work perfectly fine. I’ve said numerous times I can disassociate the owners from the club so state ownership wouldn’t stop me supporting the club like I do now but it definitely isn’t the only way we compete. A consortium of rich cnuts with Ratcliffe leading the way is far more preferable in my eyes - my biggest fear is the new owners don’t respect the club, it’s history and what it is rather than how big their bank balance is. Personally I’d like the owners to stay the feck out of ETHs way as I think we’re finally onto a winner provided we invest correctly.

 

[phelans shorts]

Speak for yourself, I never had a problem with City having rich owners. Back in the 90's we were on the verge of being taken over by Murdoch's bskyb and most people would loved it since we'd have had a monopoly over all clubs finacially

There are no saints/priests who will take over United, every single billionaire is dodgy. If anyone is getting their knickers in a twist over a potential saudi/qatar takeover, then they need to stop watching football or sport in general and go support a church

When we get 700 million to spend in the transfer window, and we can buy who we want when we want there isn't gonna be any tears or complaints.

The church is worse than Saudi Arabia ffs

 

[philipos]

The church is worse than Saudi Arabia ffs

What an extraordinary comment!!!

 

[phelans shorts]

What an extraordinary comment!!!

Have you seen the shit that the church have been, and remain, up to their necks in?

They make the British empire look like angels.

EDIT: I’m referring to the Catholic Church, obviously.

 

[cyberman]

Have you seen the shit that the church have been, and remain, up to their necks in?

They make the British empire look like angels.

EDIT: I’m referring to the Catholic Church, obviously.

No. They don’t.

 

[Mr. Robot]

I mean no disrespect here, and I'm in the group of fans who do not want a human right's abusing state buying United - but for every one supporter who 'boycotts the club', there will be 10 fans who don't.

Man Utd are a behemoth and you only have to look at Twitter to gauge what the younger generation of fan thinks (I'll give you a clue: they do not oppose the Saudi's/Qataris etc, they actually relish the thought).

So suck it up and get on with your life - OR - embrace our new evil overlords. Because its going to happen, make no mistake about it.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

Speak for yourself, I never had a problem with City having rich owners. Back in the 90's we were on the verge of being taken over by Murdoch's bskyb and most people would loved it since we'd have had a monopoly over all clubs finacially

There are no saints/priests who will take over United, every single billionaire is dodgy. If anyone is getting their knickers in a twist over a potential saudi/qatar takeover, then they need to stop watching football or sport in general and go support a church

When we get 700 million to spend in the transfer window, and we can buy who we want when we want there isn't gonna be any tears or complaints.

I don't know about anyone else but if new owners gave us 700 million to spend I would be pretty embarrassed, and it would tarnish any success we had.

All billionaires probably are dodgy, but there are degrees of dodginess. For example; would you pick Rupert Murdoch over Bill Gates, or the Musk family over the Kapoors? Likewise I would be comfortable with Dubai buying us, but not Qatar. Saudi Arabia would be the worst in my opinion.

 

[Spoony]

If Qatar buy United, they'll plow billions into Manchester itself. We've got 57 talls under construction and proposed, imagine another cash injection. A lot money has come from China and East Manchester has had Abu Dhabi money but Qatar would accelerate our improvement. Why should London get all the Qatari cash?

 

[Elcabron]

I'll always be a United fan I'll be a damned lier if I said I wouldn't revel in every single title win but this does feel sad, especially considering the abuse we (rightfully) hurled at city.

On the bright side Qataris are preferable to ksa and Emirates but that's not saying much.

Would be interesting to see what support the club would give one of our players if they came out as gay when we are owned by Qatar.

Hopefully a Newcastle player comes out soon.

 

[Coops73]

The church is worse than Saudi Arabia ffs

Probably richer too but feck me its never ending.

From the church to the Middle East, from Amazon to Apple, from Ratcliffe to Mickey fecking mouse, every potential owner on here is a cnut but there’s sod all we can do about it.

The point scoring for the moral high ground in here is joke.

All we can hope for is new owners who run the club in the correct manner, invest properly and strive to make us the best that we can be.

 

[romufc]

If Qatar buy United, they'll plow billions into Manchester itself. We've got 57 talls under construction and proposed, imagine another cash injection. A lot money has come from China and East Manchester has had Abu Dhabi money but Qatar would accelerate our improvement. Why should London get all the Qatari cash?

Its quite funny people saying state owned clubs is bad and they all give valid points.
I wonder how many people would have stayed or visited hotels, restaurants that are owned by the middle east because, most of London is.

A huge chunk of Heathrow is also owned by Qatar, so I guess alot of people who are opposed to this, would not travel via Heathrow?

Or how many fans who have this view travel via Emirates, Qatar or Ethiad? You cant pick and chose when you support human rights and when it doesnt.

 

[cyberman]

Its quite funny people saying state owned clubs is bad and they all give valid points.
I wonder how many people would have stayed or visited hotels, restaurants that are owned by the middle east because, most of London is.

A huge chunk of Heathrow is also owned by Qatar, so I guess alot of people who are opposed to this, would not travel via Heathrow?

Or how many fans who have this view travel via Emirates, Qatar or Ethiad? You cant pick and chose when you support human rights and when it doesnt.

I don’t support any of those businesses nor have an emotional attachment to their history and stature?

 

[hellhunter]

Its quite funny people saying state owned clubs is bad and they all give valid points.
I wonder how many people would have stayed or visited hotels, restaurants that are owned by the middle east because, most of London is.

A huge chunk of Heathrow is also owned by Qatar, so I guess alot of people who are opposed to this, would not travel via Heathrow?

Or how many fans who have this view travel via Emirates, Qatar or Ethiad? You cant pick and chose when you support human rights and when it doesnt.

I don't exactly cheer on or support hotels and airports, though

 

[Marcelinho87]

I wonder if they would try to change the badge, mascot and nickname of the club? I am sure in the past I have read it's disliked in the middle East as it depicts the devil and these are highly religious places... Anybody heard anything regarding that?

 

[romufc]

I don’t support any of those businesses nor have an emotional attachment to their history and stature?

I don't exactly cheer on or support hotels and airports, though

Fair enough but you support United under the Glazers, we dont know what they are like with their businesses.

Look at Mike Ashley for example, was under heavy criticism over working conditions in Sports Direct.

What we have seen from the middle east is using money to pump into alot of things. Look at City, they build a whole new infrastructure around it.

I guess some fans would rather support the club, in which owners take dividend and not invest in the club, city or anything.

 

[Sweet Square]

I don’t support any of those businesses nor have an emotional attachment to their history and stature?

I don't exactly cheer on or support hotels and airports, though

My heaven is in Manchester - Busby

Manchester United is no different than
visiting the Harrods department store - Redcafe 2022.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Let’s be honest, it’s now nearly 2023. The days of Jack Walker types owning a club and investing their own money is long gone. Very few people in the world can afford to do that without expecting a ROI. I’ve accepted this is where we are at. If it’s oil money, it is what it is. Part of me thinks it would be better for the club than more American investors looking for regular large dividends. We are more likely to see stadium redevelopment, the neighbouring community invested in, training ground investment, staff etc.

Exactly. Fans need to get their heads out the sand. There are only two options. State/oil money or American leeches/Glazer types. Nothing else.

 

[JPRouve]

Let’s be honest, it’s now nearly 2023. The days of Jack Walker types owning a club and investing their own money is long gone. Very few people in the world can afford to do that without expecting a ROI. I’ve accepted this is where we are at. If it’s oil money, it is what it is. Part of me thinks it would be better for the club than more American investors looking for regular large dividends. We are more likely to see stadium redevelopment, the neighbouring community invested in, training ground investment, staff etc.

Exactly. I only have two deal breakers, I don't want the club to be owned by an absolute scumbag like MBS and I don't want the club to be owned by incompetent short to mid term investors, I don't mind competent long term investors, I don't mind dividends within reason either.

 

[Preggy99]

Honestly at this point, bring on the oil money. I would rather us become an Arab play thing than what we are now under the Glazers. At least a play thing is cared for and they will throw money where it is needed, not saddle us with debt, and take dividends just to take the piss . At the end of the day the oil money want their "look at what we own" type investment. Man United is that for them. For the Glazers we are a cash cow, simple as that. Anything to get them out of the door. As for billionaires/morals/human rights... show me a multi-billionaire who isn't corrupt in some way or another, hasn't done dodgy S##T to get where they are, they just don't exist, apart from in some lily-livered fantasy land.

 

[padzilla]

You say that but I have yet to come across many Newcastle fans that aren’t enjoying life under state ownership better than under Mike Ashley (their ‘Glazers’). Once Mbappe et al step out onto the Etihad pitch (OT being rebuilt) in a red jersey you’ll soon get over it.

Nah not for me. Those Newcastle fans are a disgrace, putting success ahead of human decency.

 

[TsuWave]

I for one welcome our Arab overlords, if they build us a world class stadium and get us top class talents like Gvardiol, Bellingham and Mbappe and knock City off their perch, they can impose shariah law at Old Trafford for all I care

 

[Pearl.Jam]

American consortium would be a nightmare and probably no different to the knuckle dragging pond life we’ve despised for 18 years, I honestly have no issues whatsoever about being owned by an oil state if it means we’re competing for honours regularly and I have no shame in admitting it. I’ve supported UTD for over 40 years and I’ll always support them no matter the owner as it’s simply join in or be left behind in the wilderness, fully appreciate that many others find this view abhorrent and it’s their choice so I have no issues with their views either

 

[Red the Bear]

The cope on here is immense i never thought I see the day United fans reach such lows...

Would be interesting to see what support the club would give one of our players if they came out as gay when we are owned by Qatar.

Hopefully a Newcastle player comes out soon.

They'll probably be fine with, same with how city has pride month and al Jazeera english is so left wing.

 

[Kaos]

I wonder if they would try to change the badge, mascot and nickname of the club? I am sure in the past I have read it's disliked in the middle East as it depicts the devil and these are highly religious places... Anybody heard anything regarding that?

No chance. The brand is the appeal, change all of those things and you don't have united anymore.

We aren't going to be bought out by preachers. These guys want the bragging rights of owning an iconic football club. We aren't going to be Sharia FC. As a poster above mentioned, City are still running pride initiatives and invest in their women's team.

 

[Gavinb33]

Part of sport is the struggle to be the best these state owned clubs have none of that, for me it takes away the romance of sport.

That being said if you want to be successful it's pretty much the only way to go as there are no altruistic billionaires looking to pump a boat load of cash in to compete, Liverpool's owners are proof as are our own without the ESL money they were hoping to get anyways.

 

[Red the Bear]

I wonder if they would try to change the badge, mascot and nickname of the club? I am sure in the past I have read it's disliked in the middle East as it depicts the devil and these are highly religious places... Anybody heard anything regarding that?

Not true at all.

They love it actually.

 

[crossy1686]

Let’s be honest, it’s now nearly 2023. The days of Jack Walker types owning a club and investing their own money is long gone. Very few people in the world can afford to do that without expecting a ROI. I’ve accepted this is where we are at. If it’s oil money, it is what it is. Part of me thinks it would be better for the club than more American investors looking for regular large dividends. We are more likely to see stadium redevelopment, the neighbouring community invested in, training ground investment, staff etc.

My sentiments exactly but my path to this point, much like yourself, has been reluctant acceptance, not gleeful anticipation. This is where football has arrived in the 2020’s. If you want to compete with for the biggest trophies this is the only way moving forward, and we all knew this was coming sooner or later.

 

[crossy1686]

I wonder if they would try to change the badge, mascot and nickname of the club? I am sure in the past I have read it's disliked in the middle East as it depicts the devil and these are highly religious places... Anybody heard anything regarding that?

They won’t change anything, they want everyone to like them, that’s their only MO.

 

[MegadrivePerson]

I wonder if they would try to change the badge, mascot and nickname of the club? I am sure in the past I have read it's disliked in the middle East as it depicts the devil and these are highly religious places... Anybody heard anything regarding that?

Wouldn't surprise me if they knock down Old Trafford and relocate the club to Qatar, then force the team to play in long white robes and red and white head scarves!

I'm joking by the way! but this is the least of my worries.