LGBTQ+ activist concerned by potential Qatari takeover of Man Utd
As Manchester United go into their FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City, takeover talk continues to surround the club. And it’s now been claimed that ‘less formal talks’ are taking place behind the scenes prior to that showdown. The Glazers are continuing to cling to power at Old Trafford, despite Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s determination to purchase the Red Devils.
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This has angered United fans on social media, with many keen to see the back of the family once and for all.
Yet with nothing set in stone, that gives Sheikh Jassim a window of opportunity.
The mysterious Qatari billionaire has made four offers for the club, with Ratcliffe making three bids himself.
Sheikh Jassim is hoping to acquire United and has pledged to wipe the debt - as well as investing in the squad, Old Trafford, Carrington and the local community.
But with Ratcliffe prepared to let all six siblings stay, it appears the INEOS chief holds all the aces.
For now, United are focusing on Saturday’s FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City at Wembley.
The Red Devils will go into the game as underdogs, with Pep Guardiola’s side already claiming the Premier League title.
But United will take confidence from winning their two previous matches at Wembley this season.
They were too strong for Newcastle in February’s Carabao Cup final, with goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford giving the Red Devils a 2-0 win.
And they overcame Brighton via a penalty shootout back in April to set up Saturday’s mouthwatering showdown.
Erik ten Hag knows the significance of the game - but insists his side are focused on claiming glory, instead of stopping their rivals winning a treble.
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Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems to be the frontrunner ahead of Man City FA Cup final (Image: GETTY)
“I know what the fans are thinking,” said the 53-year-old.
“But what we want is to restore Manchester United by winning trophies.
“So on Saturday we have an opportunity to win a trophy and we don’t want to be distracted by anything.
“If it is important for the fans, it is important for us, so we will give everything to win the Cup.
“It will not give more motivation for the team because their motivation is already enough – it can’t be more.
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Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim is refusing to give up ahead of Man City FA Cup final (Image: GETTY)
“They want to win a cup and they have an opportunity. They want to set a crown on the season.”
Guardiola, meanwhile, hit back at comments made by Bruno Fernandes that the FA Cup means more to the Red Devils.
“I didn’t speak with Bruno Fernandes and company to know exactly the reason why it means more to them, the emotional reason why they are going to play the final. I don’t know,” he said.
“I could understand it, it belongs to them. That’s normal. Sport is like that. Records will be broken. ‘That belongs to us, we don’t want anyone else to do it’ – so it is normal, that feeling.
“It’s completely understandable. But it’s a football game, who will be better will win.”