Presenter Mark Goldbridge has suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe could launch a bid for Manchester United alongside some of the club’s former players – and he would be ‘stunned’ if such a bid isn’t tabled.
The Old Trafford juggernaut has been put on the market by the Glazer family, with it being announced that they would begin “a process to explore strategic alternatives” for the Premier League giants.
The Telegraph has claimed that Ratcliffe was preparing a bid, but with a figure of £5bn being touted, journalist Ben Jacobs had claimed that the billionaire was unwilling to meet that valuation.
This summer, the Daily Mirror reported that Ratcliffe was considering a takeover that involved some of the Red Devils’ greats.
And speaking about the situation on The United Stand, Goldbridge said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if there is some sort of sentimental bid attached to ex-players with billionaires involved in it, that tries to capture the fans’ imagination that this is the best thing that can happen to Manchester United.
“I’ll be stunned if that doesn’t happen, and the reason I mention that in relation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe is that in August, there was a very, very strong rumour that Sir Jim Ratcliffe did want to buy Manchester United, but the Sir Jim Ratcliffe bid did have some ex-players attached to it – and the rumour at the time was that it was Gary Neville.”
TIF Thoughts on Goldbridge’s comments…
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Ratcliffe has previously admitted that he had an interest in buying the side he supports, but despite being Britain’s richest man, the 70-year-old may have to partner up with other suitors that could include Old Trafford alumni in order to fund an acceptable bid.
As Goldbridge alludes to, the return of some familiar faces to a powerful position could help the club rediscover the DNA that some fans will think has been lost during the Glazers’ 17-year stay, and it will be interesting to see if such a sale could materialise.