Last week, the Glazer brothers, the current owners of Manchester United, announced that they are willing to consider offers for the club. Their 17 years as owners have been plagued by protests, calls for their departure and lackluster performances on the pitch.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the potential suitors for the trophy-laden soccer club (via Sky Sports News).
In an interview with Sky News, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz, revealed the nation’s intent to seize United’s longtime rival Liverpool.
The Merseyside club is on the market.
Red Devils legend Gary Neville believes Liverpool will have to wait as interest in United is likely to be more significant. Neville moved lightly, offering a diplomatic view of why United would be a more attractive buy for potential buyers.
He said: “I don’t want to disrespect Liverpool at all because they are a huge football club.”
“When you look at the heyday of English football when it comes to audience figures, fans and commercial revenue, Manchester United and Liverpool are at the top.”
Red devils on the reds
Neville believes that without a deep loyalty to Liverpool, United would be a buyer’s first choice. He went on to say:
“Manchester United will be more sought after and will have a higher price than Liverpool. Unless Liverpool have something figured out, I think they will have to wait a bit because I think the buyers will go to Manchester United first, unless there is a Liverpool fan who is very rich somewhere and is loyal to Liverpool.”
“But I think if you were looking at both, as an asset side by side, you would choose Manchester United and that’s not me being biased as a Manchester United fan.
“Liverpool are in a better position on and off the pitch at the moment, but there’s no denying the scale of Manchester United. When you look at trade income, Manchester United as an asset is a better buy.
“I think the owner will think that if Manchester United does well on and off the pitch and Liverpool does well on and off the pitch, Manchester United will be bigger.”
What is certain is that there is a lot of change taking place at the most decorated club in English football.
