Gary Neville fears Glazers will STAY at Man Utd as he reveals theory behind mystery third party in bidding process
GARY NEVILLE fears that the Glazer family will stay at Man United and use Elliot Management to “stay in control”.
The former defender believes that the US hedge fund’s progression to the next round in the bidding process is a ploy by the current owners.
Neville reckons that the Glazers will either use Elliot to remain in charge of the Red Devils or force the other bidders to up their offers for the club.
Elliot are willing to provide funding up to £2billion to be used on redeveloping Old Trafford.
It was reported by Sky Sports that representatives from the hedge fund were at Old Trafford to watch United beat Real Betis in the Europa League.
The other two major bidders for the club are British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The potential new owners will have to look over presentations from United officials which will analyze the club’s operations, transfer strategy, and scouting network.
However, Elliot’s stay in the process is causing concern over the willingness to part with the club from the Glazers.
Neville shared his theory as to what is happening on social media.
In a quote tweet to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Neville wrote: “Nope!
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“This looks like it’s a Joel and Avi Glazer play to either ‘stay in control’ or ‘force the other bidders up.’
“Go on their website. They aren’t an owner of Manchester United!”
Sheikh Jassim is offering a full buyout of the club while Ratcliffe is only offering to take over a majority of the shares.
Neither offer has matched the Glazers £6bn asking price.
Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville added: “I think what scares Man Utd fans most is the feeling this Man Utd ownership are running this process to drive a massive price up.
“To try to somehow establish a level which means two of them can stay in and the rest of the family that want out can be bought out by an American fund who wouldn’t mind owning a minority or significant share but not the entirety of the share.
“That’s the biggest concern. The whole emphasis at this moment in time from Man Utd fans is this has to be the end of the Glazer ownership.
“They’ve run out of money, they’ve not invested in the stadium… the fans want a new stadium, whether that’s Old Trafford refurbished or a new one rebuilt, we need new facilities.
“Man Utd’s stadium is behind a lot of the big [clubs] in Europe.
“I still think there is a focus that this isn’t one big charade that the Glazers are running to try to establish a value which would be for their brothers and sisters to exit and the couple that wants to stay in to stay.
“There’s a priority at this moment in time for them to go.”