#glazers

(this is not a callout post, just clarification on the terms. As they were originally old-fandom terms that seem to have gotten confused with liking/disliking a character. To repeat: this is not a vague post about someone! I just haven't seen someone actually explain these definitions and decided to)

Haven’t posted something about marvel rivals in a little bit but here’s this Bucky clip I got a few hours ago :3 idk how I did it especially in diamond one lobbies!! But don’t mind my aim it was my first ranked match of the day😭

It's going to get worse. I'm not sure it'll get better.

The embarrassment I'd feel putting in a performance like that after a touching memorial to Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End. The only Scottish player to ever win the Ballon d'Or and we stink the place out. Shameful.

I don't know how to process my frustration and write good copy, so here's a breakdown player by player.

Onana: ARE YOU TRYING TO GET SOLD YOU DAFT CUNT.

De Ligt: Not a RCB. CB only. His passing and moving doesn't suit him flanking someone - especially not Maguire.

Maguire: His uncomfortable-ness spreads into others. We saw it with Luke Shaw, we see it in De Ligt, Martinez and Yoro. He's in a decent patch of form at the moment, but United need better.

Yoro: Poor. He's a kid, so it's understandable, but he was off it again today.

Mazraoui: The only player worse than Onana today. Wtf has happened to this guy? Or is it karma for being a dick about the Rainbow Laces campaign stuff?

Dalot: Cannot play LWB. Bring Amass up to the first team. Stick Dalot on the right. Bump Mazraoui into the back three.

Ugarte: Better today, but not by much. Right to be subbed off for Collyer, too easily bypassed, but did have some nice touches on the ball in tight spaces.

Mainoo: Similar to Ugarte, Kobbie looked off the pace. Confidence matters, and again he was good in tight spaces, but things weren't clicking with him in CM and part of me wonders if him and Bruno should swap positions - use Mainoo like Amad as a tekky player on the edge of the box.

Amad: Looks class, but not quite as clinical today as vs Soton.

Bruno: Tries too hard and fucks the flow of the team up. Solid penalty, and dependable on those, but we need more leadership from him. If that's not Keano style passion then it needs to be performance on the pitch ala Rooney.

Zirkzee: Looking sharper each game but still a little clumsy when driving at players. Good hold-up play, but poor defending for Brighton's second.

Collyer: Another solid cameo from Toby. He looked bright coming on, provided more energy, strength in midfield, and played a simple game that kept us flowing.

Garnacho: Lively, though ineffective.

Hojlund: The guy needs dropping for a while to be honest. He needs time to hone his game, re-find himself and what makes him a good prospect. Being Mark Hughes or Drogba and battling every defender is dumb, especially when they're bigger, stronger and more experienced. He has great technique, so be quick, get in behind, utilise that quality.

Antony: Why are you still here.

I feel sorry for Ruben Amorim. His style of play isn't suited by this squad, and whilst he talks about people adapting... not everyone can or will adapt. You can see that he's lacking options, and that's on Ratcliffe & co. for bringing him in and expecting him to cope, and the Glazers prior for such dogshit club management that we pissed away millions on unsuited signings, dividends to the shareholders (who takes dividends from a football club?), and are paying disgusting levels of interest on a now-illegal loan to buy the club in the first place - money that's gimping our great football club.

The reality is that United are in dire straights financially, and while I'm not a big fan of him, Ratcliffe seems to be at least taking a pragmatic approach to fixing the rot. The problem is that in that process, there has to be SOME sort of support for the manager to make the team his own. We've seen glimpses of quality, of potential, of style, but that's it. It seems like the issue is near to no money for transfers unless we sell, so lets do it? If Rashford's going, get him gone. Antony, get him gone. Casemiro, get him gone. Eriksen... keep til the end then let him leave - same for Lindelof. Luke Shaw, get him gone. Malacia... if you don't rate him, get him gone.

That's two wingers (Amorim 10s), two CMs, two CBs (for this, Shaw is LCB), and a LWB. Amorim with SEVEN more players he actually wants and who want to be here could actually win a few matches, but until he has that we're just praying to survive game to game, and that's how you finish 14th and get laughed at by everyone. It's also how you miss out on the cash that Europe provides you.

Maybe United need that break. Fewer games, more time at Carrington to learn Amorim Ball. Buy a bunch of cheap, good prospect kids and mingle them with academy talent. See who stands out and can step up, sell those who don't. I will say though, if I'm Harry Amass I'm fuming that I can't get some first team minutes at the moment. United look bereft of a left wing. Miserable.

Next up: Rangers on Thursday in the Europa League at 8pm. We have to put those fucks away. A miracle run in the Europa or the FA Cup are the only glimmers of light in the tunnel of shit that is our season. Get praying, reds.

Manchester United recently found themselves at the center of a swirling storm of speculation after Saudi sports supremo Turki Alalshikh claimed on social media that the club was in “advanced stage” talks for a sale to a new investor. For fans following the latest developments on Sports Channel, it was a post that raised eyebrows and prompted more questions than answers about the club’s ownership, potential Saudi involvement, and what the future might hold for one of the Premier League’s biggest teams.

Alalshikh’s Claims and Immediate Denials

On Wednesday, Alalshikh, who boasts over 7.2 million followers on X, wrote: “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he's better than the previous owners.”

Multiple sources close to the club were quick to refute the claim, insisting that no such negotiations were underway. In a follow-up post on Thursday, Alalshikh clarified that he was not the prospective buyer and that the investor in question “is not from my nation.”

While these clarifications eased some concerns, uncertainty lingers. The nature of United’s ownership, the Glazers’ willingness to negotiate, and the potential involvement of Saudi investors in English football all combine to make this a story with many layers, all closely monitored by Sports Channel analysts.

The Friendly Game Angle: Saudi Connections on the Field

Some context for the speculation comes from ongoing plans involving mid-season friendlies. Manchester United has reportedly been exploring opportunities to play games overseas to generate revenue, particularly after missing out on European competition this season. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a potential destination for such fixtures, with discussions potentially involving Saudi Pro-League clubs or European giants like AC Milan.

Head coach Ruben Amorim highlighted the financial and fan-related rationale, stating, “We knew that when we missed Europe, we had to compensate [for] a lot of things, including our fans and the budget. So we are putting [it] all together to do that.” While no formal agreements have been announced, these potential matches could strengthen commercial ties between United and Saudi Arabia—a topic that Sports Channel will be monitoring closely in the coming months.

The Glazer Family and Saudi Links

United’s history with Saudi entities is longstanding. In 2017, the club signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority, aiming to support the development of football in the region. The deal aligned with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision and involved United lending its business and sporting expertise to local clubs and authorities.

Previously, the club also secured lucrative sponsorships with Saudi Telecom starting in 2008, which continued through extensions until 2018. These agreements fueled speculation about a possible Saudi takeover, though United sources repeatedly denied any imminent sale. Alalshikh’s post reignited interest in that historical connection, though any future bid would face regulatory hurdles.

Premier League Ownership Rules

Even if a Saudi investor were interested in Manchester United, there are significant Premier League regulations to consider. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has controlled Newcastle United since 2021, and several Saudi-owned clubs operate under the same fund, including Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli.

The Premier League is unlikely to approve multiple club ownership by the same ultimate entity, even if individual operators differ. This contrasts with prior attempts, such as Sheikh Jassim’s failed bid, where conflict of interest wasn’t a factor due to a lack of competing ownership. For United, navigating league approval would be a complex and lengthy process, making any immediate Saudi acquisition unlikely.

Todd Boehly and Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Stability Amid Speculation

While Saudi rumors swirl, Manchester United’s actual ownership structure remains anchored. Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns nearly 30% of the club and operates in a hands-on manner, while the Glazers maintain overall control. Ratcliffe has emphasized the cooperative relationship with the family, noting in a recent interview with The Times podcast, The Business: “We’re local, and they’re the other side of the pond…We come to board meetings, we sit down, and we talk about things.”

Ratcliffe’s investment includes a ‘drag-on clause’ from August 2025, which would require him to sell if the Glazers accepted an offer above $33 per share. While this clause exists, Ratcliffe has stressed that there are no underlying tensions or secret negotiations, contradicting any narrative of hidden dealings between the Glazers and external parties.

Financial Dynamics and Strategic Considerations

United’s latest financial accounts reveal constraints on activities like buying another club or paying dividends until February 2027, except in situations tied to “change of control transactions.” These measures illustrate a cautious, controlled approach to ownership changes, aligning with the club’s preference for stability amid speculation.

Sports Channel observers have noted that these financial structures make a sudden takeover improbable. The Glazers’ strategic patience, combined with Ratcliffe’s active involvement, suggests that any potential sale—Saudi or otherwise—would require careful planning, regulatory approvals, and clear alignment with Premier League rules.

What This Means for Fans and the Media

Alalshikh’s initial post created a flurry of online discussion, illustrating the intense scrutiny Manchester United faces from fans and global media. Even if a sale is unlikely in the immediate future, the club’s commercial relationships, historical Saudi ties, and strategic investment moves will continue to attract speculation.

Fans following Sports Channel will be watching closely for updates on potential mid-season friendlies in Saudi Arabia, financial maneuvers, and any announcements related to club ownership. While the drama of social media posts can amplify uncertainty, the reality remains that United’s current structure is stable, with no immediate changes in sight.

The Takeaway

While the idea of a Saudi takeover is tantalizing for some, the practical hurdles—including Premier League regulations, existing PIF involvement with Newcastle, and the current agreements between Ratcliffe and the Glazers—make such a move unlikely in the short term.

Sports Channel emphasizes that while Alalshikh’s comments made waves, the club remains firmly under Glazer and Ratcliffe oversight. Fans can expect the ongoing dialogue about ownership, investment, and global partnerships to continue, but dramatic overnight changes should be considered improbable.

Manchester United’s story continues to evolve, with the global spotlight firmly on the club, its owners, and the commercial and sporting opportunities that lie ahead.