Webdesk: Before the match with Aston Villa, fans of Manchester United took to the streets to protest against the Glazer family, who bought the team in 2005.
As the third round of bidding came to a close, the protests began. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is at the top, and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani is next to him.
Before the game, Manchester United fans showed up outside Old Trafford with banners and flyers.
At the protests, people held up signs that said things like “Full sale only” and “Fight greed, fight Glazers, fight for United.”
“Love United, hate Glazer” written on some other banners. Several fans seen wearing club shirts to show their dislike for the Glazers.
Ratcliffe’s company, Ineos, has reportedly made an offer to buy Manchester United for more than £5bn.
Ratcliffe wants to buy a majority stake in the Premier League club just in case the current owners, the Glazer brothers Joel and Avram, want to keep their shares. If they do, that would cause a big fuss.
People who know Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani well said on Friday that his offer broke the £5 billion mark with a promise of a lot more money.
But people who know about the bidding, which is being handled by the US merchant bank Raine Group, say that’s not true and that the Ineos offer is actually a higher price for the club.
The protests on Sunday began a few miles from Old Trafford and moved towards the East Stand around 1 p.m.
The United’s ownership is still up in the air, but a decision will be made soon.
