November 22 is a key date on United’s calendar, marking the day the club severed ties with Cristiano Ronaldo and triggered a protracted takeover process
One year ago today, Manchester United were shocked by two seismic incidents that struck the club within hours.
The World Cup in Qatar has just begun, but Manchester United’s matches have temporarily overshadowed the world’s biggest sporting event, underscoring the club’s unique global appeal and influence. At 5:30 pm on November 22, Manchester United announced the immediate departure of Cristiano Ronaldo after he claimed in an explosive interview that he disrespected owner Erik ten Hag.
One of the greatest stars in United’s illustrious history, Ronaldo’s exit was summed up in three brief paragraphs thanking him for his contribution during his two seasons at Old Trafford. Four hours later, while fans were still digesting the big news, United released a statement revealing the club was for sale – music to music for fans eager to see the Glazer family return.
The Glazer family has squeezed more than £1 billion from Manchester United in interest repayments over nearly 20 years and ensnared a debt-free club in a net worth more than £650 million, an end in sight for the despised American owners. It seems to be in sight.
Twelve months on, Ronaldo is thriving in Saudi Arabia, paving the way for other world-class stars such as Neymar, Sadio Mane and Karim Benzema to follow in his footsteps, while United remain saddled with The burden on the Glazer family, although there is a glimmer of light in the figure of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Last month, Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari backers withdrew a £5bn bid for Manchester United, clearing the way for Ineos chief executive Ratcliffe to take a minority (but ultimately significant) stake in the club. obstacle. Ratcliffe wasted no time flexing his muscles ahead of approval for his £1.3bn (25%) investment in Manchester United, with chief executive Richard Arnold becoming the first of his arrival High-profile victim, director of football John Murtough, may also follow. .
While the departure of the Glazer family may not give United fans their wish, at least Ratcliffe’s claim for control of the football side of the club could finally lead to a long-awaited behind-the-scenes shake-up that would herald a tangible transformation On the field. Given the failures of the current regime and the continued overpayment of players who simply do not meet the standards, United fans will surely welcome Ratcliffe’s revolution, especially the new ideas and approaches that come with his appointment of new personnel at the top level.
Ratcliffe’s purchase of a quarter of Manchester United was seen as the first step in a long-term plan to gain full control of the club, ultimately leading to the Glazer family’s sacking. This was the end for United fans, who had been waging a long and vociferous protest against their boss for nearly two decades.
For Ronaldo, his move to the Saudi Professional League, leaving Europe’s top flight for the first time in 20 years, has not diminished his global standing, despite the legitimate ethical concerns surrounding the move. With 612 million followers on Instagram, Ronaldo’s brand power is as strong as ever, and so is his bank balance. The 38-year-old earns a whopping £3.50 a week, more than Erling Haaland, the Premier League’s highest-paid player. Five times. Earn it.
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So while Ronaldo has moved on to bigger and better things – certainly in terms of his personal fortune and lasting global profile – the Glazers have remained at United, although time is running out for their eventual departure.
United fans may not have gotten the result they wanted a year ago when the Glazer family announced their willingness to sell, but Ratcliffe’s arrival is a major step towards finally taking the family and ending the most tumultuous run in the club’s history. One of the chapters. A legendary history.
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