22 February 2023 , 08:03
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Joel Glazer is believed to be have reservations about selling Manchester United - just as club legend Gary Neville has predicted.
The Glazers put the Red Devils up for sale in November and received two confirmed bids before last Friday's 'soft' deadline. Those have come from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but other parties are interested.
There are no guarantees a takeover will definitely be completed, as the Glazers promised to "consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club" three months ago. There now appears to be a split in opinion within the American family.
As reported by The Telegraph, Joel is not 100 per cent convinced on selling United. He and brother Avram have the strongest connection to the Premier League club, despite being viewed unfavourably by thousands - if not millions - of supporters.
Neville believes the Glazers could stay on board after United increased their season ticket prices. He tweeted: "The increase to ticket prices at United is very odd!
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"Why would a seller that's leaving before the next season introduce something that has brought them more hate and they won't benefit from! Any new buyer would most likely freeze the price in year one to stay onside with fans. It does beg the question whether they are really going! I have my doubts with actions like this one!"
Avram and Joel Glazer are believed to have reservations about selling Manchester United (Getty Images)Do you think the Glazers will leave Manchester United? Let us know in the comments below!
It is claimed Joel and Avram have considered buying out their four siblings, who are less enthusiastic about the club. It is unclear whether they have the capital to do this, but their "strategic review" - the name for the sale - could allow this to happen.
In theory, a new investor could arrive at Old Trafford to buy out four Glazer siblings and other shareholders, while Joel and Avram maintain their shares in the club. As their statement in November proves, nothing is off the table when it comes to this sale.
If Joel and Avram remain part of the club, there is likely to be a backlash from supporters. The Glazers have been unpopular owners of United since the late Malcolm Glazer completed a full takeover the club in 2005 for a variety of reasons.
The Glazers bought United in a leveraged deal which has led to around £680million worth of debt being loaded onto the club. They have also failed to improve infractrture - with Old Trafford in dire need of renovation - and the team has regressed.
United have failed to win the Premier League title since May 2013 - lifting just three major honours during the following nine seasons. The Glazers also signed United up to the doomed European Super League, which aimed to create a closed shop of elite clubs.
The Glazers asking price - believed to be £5billion - has also raised eyebrows. That expensive figure does not include other shareholders, debt or the cost of renovations. The other four Glazer siblings are Kevin, Bryan, Edward and Darcie.