Gary Neville is concerned that Manchester United raising season ticket prices is an indication the Glazers could maintain control of the club.
The American owners put the Premier League giants up for sale back in November, while also leaving the door open that they can stay with the addition of fresh investment. An official statement read: "The Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company."
Supporters are desperate for a majority takeover which would end the Glazer’s controversial stewardship of the club. On Friday, the soft deadline for parties to register their interest passed, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani both confirming their intention to buy the club outright.
However, in an 11th-hour twist, Elliott Investment Management declared their own interest. According to ESPN, Elliott are keen to supply financing rather than a full takeover, which could enable the Glazers to remain in situ.
That's the worst case scenario for Neville, who has been vocal that the family need to leave the football club completely.
"I think what scares Man United fans most is the feeling this Man United ownership are running this process to drive a massive price up,” he told Sky Sports.
"To try to somehow establish a level which means two of them can stay in and the rest of the family that want out can be bought out by an American fund who wouldn't mind owning a minority or significant share but not the entirety of the share. That's the biggest concern.
"The whole emphasis at this moment in time from Man United fans is this has to be the end of the Glazer ownership.”
But the United legend is now growing concerned that the Glazers have inadvertently shown their hand, after the club announced an increase in season ticket prices for the first time in 11 seasons.
“The increase in ticket prices at United is very odd!” Neville posted on Twitter. “Why would a seller that’s leaving before the next season starts 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 1 to stay on side with fans,” he added, “It does beg the question whether they are really going! I have my doubts with actions like this one!”
United announced the change on Monday, citing that an increase in putting on matches has made it imperative for them to review their pricing structure.
“With the cost of delivering matches up by 40 per cent in the past five years, and 11 per cent in the past 12 months alone, the modest increase in price for the 2023/24 season is necessary to allow the club to operate on a sustainable basis,” the club explained.
Meanwhile, the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust gave their own verdict on the proposed takeover, demanding any successful bidder “explicitly” back manager Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was only appointed last summer but has quickly won over fans with their latest win leaving them just five points off the top of the Premier League table.
