Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd's three independent directors revealed as Glazers continue to mull options
Manchester United owners the Glazers are in the spotlight as takeover talk continues to surround the club.
Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo slams the Glazers
Manchester United have three directors on their board ‘who have a particular duty to look out for those shareholders not called Glazer’, according to reports. The family are in the spotlight amid ongoing takeover speculation. They confirmed they were open to selling up back in November, but there’s still no guarantee that’ll happen.
The Athletic have revealed three names who are looking out for shareholders at United not associated with the Glazer family.
These people are ‘independent’ directors and act as foil on the board, with the family usually calling all the big shots.
Robert Leitao, Manu Sawhney and John Hooks are all employed by the club.
Leitao is a Rothschild banker, whereas Sawhney previously worked for the International Cricket Council.
And while Hooks is described as a ‘fashion industry veteran’, he’s also somebody whose knowledge is valued by the club.
Read more Man Utd takeover LIVE: Sheikh Jassim sent pleading messages as rivals eyed [LIVE UPDATES]
The report says there’s a theory that, right now, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid for United is ‘too cute’.
It ‘could leave the Glazers tangled up in litigation for years with those institutional investors who own 31 per cent of the company.’
There have been murmurings recently of the Glazers potentially facing legal action if they sell to Ratcliffe.
It was suggested at the end of June that the minority holders fear missing out on big sums of money as part of any INEOS takeover.
They had apparently made it clear, via a letter to the United board, that they’d sue if they end up with discounted shares.
Don't miss...
Nick Powell says Phil Neville ‘p***** him off’ during spell at Man Utd together [LATEST]
Man Utd 'get firm response from Atalanta' after attempting Hojlund swap deal [TRANSFER NEWS]
Lampard makes feelings clear on Mount ditching Chelsea for Man Utd transfer [NEWS]
However, it was also noted that United’s independent directors would never ‘sanction or recommend that bid’ under any circumstances.
Right now, the Red Devils are in a state of flux.
Clarity had been expected to be provided at the end of last season following the club’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
But the Glazers have kept fans in the dark and it’s unclear what will happen next.
Meanwhile, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor recently slammed the Glazers.
And he urged them to ‘go back to America’, insisting the Red Devils would be better off without the family at the helm.
“I do feel sorry for Man United, I feel their pain,” he told Football Insider.
“I do mock them sometimes about wanting the Glazers out, but when you hear about what’s going on behind the scenes – the fans must be pulling their hair out.
“It’s time for the Glazers to go back to America, let new owners come in and help them compete again.
“Man United aren’t far away. They’re three or four players away from competing for a league title.
“If the Glazers stay in, then you can’t see that kind of investment coming.
“I think they’re playing with fire and I can see a lot of backlash from the fans if they stay at the club.”
The Glazers have owned United ever since 2005, with the club winning five Premier League titles in the years since.