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Man United £254billion takeover twist tipped amid 'scathing' Sir Jim Ratcliffe claim - expert
Man United should prioritise the highest bidder and turn towards investors from the US or the Middle East instead of putting faith in Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
That is the opinion of finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the extreme range in wealth between potential Man United takeover groups.
The Daily Mail reported last month (27 January) that Man United chiefs are “scathing” about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to buy the Red Devils, with suggestions that he won’t meet the £6bn asking price from the Glazers.
Britain’s richest man made his interest in the club official this month after the Glazers revealed they are open to investment at Old Trafford.
But Man United are also attracting interest from the US and Middle East, with reports that the Investment Corporation of Dubai are in the running to buy the club.
The sovereign wealth fund have an estimated net worth of £254bn – a figure that towers over the £13.3bn valuation of Ratcliffe.
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Plumley believes Man United will prioritise the highest investment and turn their attention away from Ratcliffe amid concerns over his ability to fund the club.
“Any new investors will have to guarantee that they can run the club’s expenses and continue to invest even after the extreme acquisition price,” Plumley told Football Insider.
“That includes development in infrastructure, transfers and improvements to the training ground and stadium.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe is phenomenally wealthy in his own right but the other interested parties from the Middle East and the US trump him financially.
“Ratcliffe played his hand early and was looking for the fan vote as a boyhood supporter himself.
“But the sheer numbers show that he is financially dwarfed by other investing parties.
“From the club’s point of view, Man United should be selfish and look for the highest bidder and investors from the US and the Middle East can drive the club forward even after the acquisition price.“
In other news, Jim Ratcliffe wants to bypass Man United takeover brokers and seal ‘discount’ deal