01/06/2010
Red Knights keep up pressure on Glazers
A statement from the Red Knights will be issued around 9am this
morning (Weds 2nd June), but before it is we wanted to share this
article from the Manchester Evening News with members. We believe this
is probably the most accurate portrayal of the current situation we've
seen in recent media coverage. There will be a great deal more said and
written elsewhere, but remember to not always believe everything you
read!
MUST will be issuing our own statement to the press
shortly after the Red Knights, and we will be sharing that with members
too via the blog so check here later today:
http://action.joinmust.org/blog
Red Knights keep up
pressure on Glazers
James Robson, Manchester Evening News
June 01, 2010
The Red Knights face a crunch
meeting on Tuesday when they are expected to reaffirm their
determination to wrest control of Manchester United from the clutches
of the Glazers.
But the mega-rich consortium of investors refuse
steadfastly to meet the £1.5bn valuation of the club.
While
that will not sound the death knell for their much-publicised bid for
United, it means any offer could have to wait until after the World
Cup.
Despite reports over the weekend claiming the Knights were
on the verge of pulling the plug on their proposed bid to oust United's
controversial Florida-based owners, they have let it be known their
interest remains very much intact.
But they refuse to pay over
the odds - even if that effectively rules out their hopes of a quick
sale.
Instead - with financing in place - they would rather play
the waiting game and see the pressure increase on the Glazers before
making a bid in the region of £1.2bn. And that is what will be on the
agenda when the Knights get together.
The Glazers insist United
are not for sale at any cost - reiterating that stance last week.
In
a statement they said: "The owners remain fully committed to their
long-term ownership of the club. Manchester United is not for sale and
the owners will not entertain any offers."
The Glazers even
claim they rejected a £1.5bn offer from a mystery Middle East investor
last year. [note - which we have good reason to believe wasn't
£1.5bn at all, and in any case is irrelevant as it was before the
supporters' Green & Gold campaign]
But the Red Knights -
led by Goldman Sachs banker, Jim O'Neill, and backed by the hugely
successful Green and Gold campaign - believe the gritty American
businessmen can be tempted to sell, despite all their public assertions
to the contrary.
While a bid before the World Cup has not yet
been ruled out, it is becoming increasingly likely it will now happen
after the showpiece tournament, which starts on June 11 - especially if
they are determined not to meet the £1.5bn valuation.