Former Manchester United director Michael Knighton has labeled the Red Devils a “club in crisis” as he prepares a hostile takeover bid.
Michael Knighton, who was director of United between 1989-92, has spoken to Man United The Religion on the club’s current state and his efforts to purchase the club.
“We are a club in crisis, and we all know the reason why. We have an inept and frankly useless ownership who knows little about this game of football,” Knighton explained.
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The former director then went on to explain that he is putting together a bid to buy the club.
“Everyone knows that we need new ownership of this football club. That is my aim, those are my objectives.
“I’m making good progress, I continue to talk to the people, I’ve got some good pledges with good finance.
“We are now working on the offer document - remember, it's a hostile bid.”
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Explaining on what a 'hostile bid' meant, he said: “That simply means the club isn’t officially for sale, but my intention is to present these owners with a legitimate and potent and proper commercial offer to say ‘you’ve run out of road, it's time to go, because your time is up’.
“And frankly the fans worldwide have had enough of this regime.”
Talking on the Brighton fixture and the energy being sucked out of the fans, Knighton recognised the fans frustrations.
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“The exciting feeling of a new season which we all have, and that balloon of excitement is there but it was quickly burst when we saw the performance against Brighton.
“Quite honestly, the Lionesses, we could have played them and I think they’d have got a better result.
“The club is in crisis and it will remain in crisis whilst we've got this current ownership - that’s the situation.”
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Manchester United fans have been begging for a new regime to take over the club for a long time, and Knighton’s words will come as encouraging to many.
“I’m speaking to the right people, we’ve got some good people on board, and we will make a formal, hostile bid.”
“I believe the current share scheme is a smoke screen really to keep the current owners in situ.
"My advice to anyone is wait until you have a proper opportunity to buy a proper block of shares which gives you real power.
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“This current scheme does not do that in my view.
“By all means take your own separate legal independent, legal advice and financial advice, you must do that, but this shareholding gives the fans frankly nothing.”
When questioned on the protests that have been happening over the last season or so, Knighton was completely understanding and sympathetic towards them.
“It’s inevitable that fans are going to protest because of the frustration, because of the disappointment; what else can they do which shows their disappointment with these protests?
“The protests are brilliantly organised, they are peaceful – that’s very important – no one would support violence.
“These are peaceful protests by the fans simply saying ‘look, we want change – preferably we want regime change’.
“So, yes, the protests will continue, that is inevitable, until they bring about what everyone wants, which is change.”
When prompted for a final message regarding his bid, he was very firm in stating his plan.
“My consortium is ready and waiting, the funds are pledged, the offer document is being drawn up, and it will be presented.
We’re still waiting for the great Sir Jim Ratcliffe to come forward because he solves all our problems, makes my job redundant, but until Jim comes, my consortium will be placing their bid very shortly – that, I guarantee.”
With Manchester United’s transfer activity frustrating a lot of fans, the thought of a new takeover may feel a dream come true.
Check the full interview out with Michael Knighton by Man Utd The Religion.
Topics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Erik Ten Hag, Sir Alex Ferguson
Dylan Penketh