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Glazer family to explore Manchester United sale

Mike Egerton - EMPICS / PA Images / Getty

The Glazer family is shifting its attention to selling Manchester United now that the Cristiano Ronaldo fiasco is over.

Manchester United said Tuesday that the American family will explore options, which could include selling the Premier League club outright. United's owners will also consider a partial sale or a strategic partnership with third parties.

"The board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the company," United said in a statement.

"There can be no assurance that the review being undertaken will result in any transaction involving the Company," the statement added.

The Glazer family has procured the services of investment banking firms, including the Raine Group, for advice during the process. The Raine Group also aided in Chelsea's recent sale.

The news will likely be welcomed by many Manchester United supporters, who have grown increasingly frustrated since the Glazers took ownership in 2005. Fans have staged several protests outside Old Trafford - most recently in August - calling for the Glazers to sell the team.

Several such protests erupted in 2021 after the club announced it had agreed to join the newly formed European Super League before that deal collapsed. Fans caused the postponement of United's game against Liverpool on May 2, 2021, after gaining access to the interior of Old Trafford.

A dramatic decline in on-pitch performance has also been a common grievance for supporters.

Although the Red Devils have been one of the highest-spending teams in the world, numerous high-profile transfers have failed to deliver success, bringing to light the club's suspect recruitment strategy.

Ronaldo's return in 2021 is the latest transfer that's come back to haunt the club.

The Red Devils announced Monday that they have terminated Ronaldo's contract after an explosive pre-World Cup interview in which he criticized the club, manager Erik ten Hag, and his now-former United teammates.

After purchasing United for £790 million in 2005, the Glazers will likely sell the club for more than the £2.5 billion paid by a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly to buy Chelsea earlier in 2022. The Glazers could demand between £5 billion and £9 billion, according to Mark Kleinman of Sky Sports.

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe said last summer he was eager to purchase United after failing to buy Chelsea. But he revealed in October that the Glazers "don't want to sell" after he met with members of the family.

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