MBS has evolved into a bigger cnut that the circumstances he was born into but that debate is for a different thread.
The Saudi Takeover Rumor Thread
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
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MBS has evolved into a bigger cnut that the circumstances he was born into but that debate is for a different thread.
Yeah I could find great stuff done by the American opportunists in the name of freedom. Not saying the Saudis are good but claiming Amercans to be any better is just not true.
That would be the dream situation.
Then we would have elections that make sure no one stays in power too long. Almost like a Barcelona structure.
You would need a solid commitee of leaders.
Some wealthy fans as owners.
Though it doesn't have to be fans only. It can also be other entrepreneurs and millionaires who can be silent investors, but they have to prioritise on-field performance.
The maximum that one party can own is 10%. Therefore, there are no people trying to seize control.
The minimum someone invests could be as little as £250.
It takes 4000 x million to make 4 billion.
It takes 20 x 250 million to make 4 billion.
I think a strong committee of leaders who would have a team of solid fundraisers with experience of leading fundraising for large tech companies would be essential.
Call me a dreamer. But it is possible.
What aspect of "the Americans"? You don't think their political set up and general freedoms are "any better" than the Saudis'?
I really dont want to go there but if you are bothered looking for it you could say that their fight for their freedom is often for a heavy price for others. By that I am not taking anything away from the Saudis
America's history is despicable lets not even go there..
it's not.
Yes lets not.
How on earth is any of this possible? This reads like a bit of fan fiction rather than something that has even a remote chance of being possible as you’ve outlined here.
More so than England's? Or indeed, more so than any of the former colonial powers'?
Of course, it's fan fiction. And anything is possible. However, impossible it may seem. Let him dream. It's all we can do these days.
john lennon was a dreamer and look what happened to him
This line of comment, that's been going on for the best part of 40 pages is so irrelevant. George III isn't rumoured to be buying United, neither is Ronald Reagan, Donald Rumsfeld or Henry Kissinger. The simple fact that our owners are from a country with questionable politics and foreign policy over the years isn't an equivalent to being the actual ruling family of a country with questionable politics and foreign policy.
No not at all. The British Empire used to be the world police and in the last hundred years the USA have been the world police. Do I agree with everything the USA has done? No BUT who else would I have preferred to be the dominant power and world police over the last hundred years and would have done a better job? (discounting Trump I think he is a blip) Russia, China, Arab states, South Americans, .....EU? no none of them. The USA was the least bad to run the world. In 100 years when China may quite possibly have been the dominant force for a few decades people will look back at the USA era and appreciate it.
I don't think saying I don't want a regime that punishes, with torture, rape and/or death, those that are not straight, muslim Arab men, who dares ask for basic human rights counts as moral posturing. But hey, whatever helps you dismiss my opinion...
In middle of all these moral and practical debates . Let me just add that considering their deep pockets if Saudis want to buy United they will . The advantages that can come out from this takeover will be the money available for transfers and competing for all the trophies . Along with all that their political power coming in use for us too which means no more bullying by Barca,Real and player agents . Honestly I am tired of us being held at ransom by player agents and the other big clubs unsettling our players. This never happens with Man City and PSG . On the contrary they seem to scared of upsetting these clubs especially PSG . It helps when there is a whole country political power backing your club .
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Actually you accused people of being glory hunters which isn't the case. Its also important for you and others to note that I am not thrilled of the idea of Saudi Arabia buying us out. First of all because of its horrible track record in terms of human rights, secondly because I know how easy these regimes can collapse. Irrespective of everything you can't ask me or other supporters to abandon the team they love. It would be like asking me to disown my daughter if she ever goes into drugs or a crime. I won't.
Regarding your second comment, if you're Hungarian then its evident that I wasn't referring to you. Similarly to myself you've got little to no power to change world politics. However some do. They can put pressure on their government to stop arming these bunch of Aholes.
Maybe it’s just me, but I think there are better things in life to dream about than the ownership structure of United
Only if the Glazers want to sell. Takes two to make a transaction.
Wish this thread was locked until there is actual news and an update. Everyone has had a chance to give there thoughts, it's just bickering at this stage.
Of course, but the Glazers are in it for the money so if they get an offer that is high enough they’ll sell.
I was but a young teen when those shares came out, working for less then minimum wage and sparing all the money for my studies. I didn't have enough money to leave home let alone buy shares. What I did was help buying out our supporters club which is the oldest in the world. Its not the same thing but that all I could do.
Regarding politics I infiltrated a far right group at one point, I secretly filmed what was going on and I reported them to the authorities both locally and abroad. The person in question ended up in court, one of his main funders got exposed and lost his business and I received death threats as well. I don't suggest people to do that to be honest but this should give you an idea of how far my idealism can get me at times.
What we all can do is vote politicians who truly have a moral compass. Those who come from countries who actively arm these aholes has a bigger responsibility then those who do not.
Finally I do agree that the ship has sailed, which gives us two options really. We can either jump ship or we can accept it. I can't see myself abandoning my club as much as I can find myself abandoning my daughter if she messes big time. That doesn't mean I am a glory hunter or that I don't care.
Agree.
I'm sorry but I can't equate a football club to a human being. It's just not the same for me, especially when there are actual people behind club. I have affection for the house I grew up in but if it were purchased by a mass murderer or rapist that affection would disappear.
The bolded is irrelevant.
Well each of us has his flaws. I can't find myself abandoning the club I've loved since forever simply because it felt victim of capitalism. You seem to struggle to vote for a party who actually arm these aholes.
Now you're just trolling. I haven't discussed anything I've voted for. Nice try though. Keep repeating the same line. I find it quite comical.
I think i've hit a nerve actually
Haha nope. You tried but ultimately failed. Your intentions were pretty transparent from the start of the conversation, but it's hard to strike a nerve when you are arguing something so absurd.
Why do you want me to respond to a question that is an obvious false equivalency? I mean, what do I gain except an utterly pointless debate? I'll pass. We've beaten the horse to death. You win.
Definitely not impossible mate just unlikely, as i was saying during the 90's groups like Shareholders United were trying to raise awareness and band fans together into buying shares. But sadly enough people bought in and while i can't remember what percentage of shares were actually in fan ownership it wasn't a lot in the grand scheme of things.
Fair enough mate.
Not many of those about mate. People should not vote the usual suspects into government but they always do. The majority of people more than likely have support for a particular party ingrained in them through family/friends/upbringing. And most people vote for local reasons, i suspect very few vote based on foreign policy.
I doubt i could stop supporting United completely either, but a takeover by people like the Saudi ruling family would definitely change how i feel about the club.
B- That's the problem and why we get exploited again and again. Honestly I think we shouldn't even be in this situation in the first place. Football is the UK national sport and Manchester United is possibly the biggest club in the world. Laws should be set in place that should stop such huge symbol for the community, the city, the country and football as a whole to end up a play thing of some foreign nation.
Finally I agree completely with your third comment and that's exactly how I would feel too.
It wouldnt work. Who would make the decisions? You couldnt have referendums every major decision. What would happen if half wanted one thing and half wanted the other? What about if you had put an equal share in and wanted to be one of the leaders you mentioned? Its like Communism, a nice idea in theory, but never works out equal in reality.
The Caf
It's just a raw idea.
Of course, no one goes with the first version of every idea.
I think it can work. Just because someone owns a share, it doesn't mean they are entitled to make decisions.
They can vote for a president - this person would have a four year term and then would have to re-elected. Only people with shares and members can vote.
Barcelona does a similar thing.
This way we avoid situations like Woodward.
It would take a year or two getting used to, but then it will be ongoing.
Referendums would only be made for new presidents.
Please feel free to add or refine this.
Forums are a great way to share ideas which can evolve into something.
Its getting people to put money in without a return as well. If you got a million backers, which is very highly unlikely, they would have to put £4000-5000 to buy the Glazers out. No one can afford that and not want a return. It would be worse than it is now. Lets say everyone wanted their money back with no interest over 20 years the club would have to pay £200 million a year out just for this. Its a nice dream, but thats all it is. The only way forward from the Glazers is a multi billionaire buyout where £4-5 billion can be swallowed up without it really being felt. Saudis anyone?
It would be a tiered approach.
Anyone invest up to 5% of the 5 billion (this is where the rich fans would come in. Even if we got 10 wealthy fans that would be substantial chunk.
Then there would be those which might have 1 million to 5 million. That would be the second fans.
Then the people with anything from £25000 to £500,000. We are still talking about wealthy investors.
You will have a large amount of people that would be investing into £1000 - £10,000
And the lowest tier would be anyone with £250 - £1000
I would be happily put £25000 down in a collective.
There are plenty of people that would put £250 down, just to have a say on who becomes the CEO / president of the club.
The reason why the Red Knights failed was because they didn't have enough cash.
Red Knights II + tiered approach sounds ambitious, but I think it's not impossible.
Imagine, would you not be willing to put a minimum of £250 down? Multiply that with all the other people.
Not really sure if I would trust our collective fan base to be in charge. I think the two most unsuitable clubs for this kind of ownership are Liverpool & Manchester United. It would be disastrous at either club.
All they would do is vote for a president every four years. The rest would be up to the president. When a person runs for president, they would outline their plan of what they want to achieve in the four years. They can run again after four years.
You don’t think this would be better than having a dictator like ed in charge?
I feel that us deserve more transparency. Right now every thing feels too cryptic.
As suggested by @ExecutionerWasp001, would you guys rather see us owned by them human rights abusers or have liverpool owned by them instead?
I’m fairly against them owning us as their money is all from corruption but if it came to this, I would take them along with us without a second thought tbh. Fairness is all well and good until it threatens you that your rival will become infinitely better than you.
I’m fairly against them owning us as their money is all from corruption but if it came to this, I would take them along with us without a second thought tbh. Fairness is all well and good until it threatens you that your rival will become infinitely better than you.
Next step is Al qaeda buying the club
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