Premier League rivals Manchester United are up for sale with new American owners as Fenway Sports Group seek investors for Liverpool.
It has been reported that the Carlyle Group has entered the race to purchase Manchester United. It means that the Glazer family could follow in the footsteps of Liverpool’s US owners, Fenway Sports Group. The Glazers could sell a minority of the stake to the US investment firm.
Are Manchester United following Liverpool?
Liverpool were put on the market by their owners at the beginning of November while preferring a partial sale. Moreover, the principal owner, John Henry, has since confirmed that the Boston-based group are in talks with investors.
Several names have been linked since, which includes an American-based Liberty Media which also own Formula 1. However, rivals United also confirmed that they were looking for ‘strategic alternatives’, after weeks of Liverpool stating that they were up for sale. Besides, it was still unclear, at that stage, whether FSG were looking to part ways completely or not.
With The Raine Group conducting the sale on behalf of the Manchester club, several parties have already made offers. Several parties including Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe have shown interest. Reportedly, bids are at a third-round stage and must be submitted by the end of the month.
According to The Independent, the Carlyle Group are now interested in purchasing a stake. The American investment company has $373 billion of assets under their management.
Furthermore, there has also been an internal debate within the Glazer family, who also own the NFL franchise Tampa Bay Buccaneers, over the potential sale. Besides, Joel and Avram Glazer – United’s co-chairmen – are said to favour a partial sale so they can remain in control of Old Trafford. The Glazer family are said to value the Reds Devils at £6 billion.
However, Carlyle declined to comment when asked about the latest twist in takeover talks of the club.
Fans have grown disgruntled at the direction of the ownership for loading debt onto the club. United, who own the top-flight record of 20 English titles, last won the Premier League in 2013.