Gary Neville has again taken aim at the Glazer family as the takeover process at Manchester United continues to drag on.
More than seven months after the club was put up for sale, the Americans remain in charge at Old Trafford, despite receiving big money bids from Sheikh Jassim and Britain's richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Having initially vowed to make a decision by the end of May, fans are still wondering over the club's future with the silence of the current owners proving deafening.
The saga is undoubtedly impacting Erik ten Hag's work in the transfer market, with the manager still unclear on what funds will be available to him as he bids to overhaul his squad. United's pre-season officially kicks off on July 12 with a friendly in Oslo against Leeds.
To add to the frustration, the club have failed with three bids to sign Chelsea's Mason Mount. And United chiefs are unwilling to accept a proposal from the Blues to offer them £58 million plus add-ons for the England midfielder.
Former United right-back Neville has been one of the most vociferous critics of the Glazer family, frequently calling for them to leave the club. His disdain intensified amid the club's bid to join the ill-fated European Super League project, and now he's accused them of keeping people "in the dark" over recent events.
"What you want from leaders is good, clear communication," he told The Guardian. "The Glazer family do the exact opposite. They’re in a position of authority, looking after a community – and United’s fans around the world are a global community – but the Glazers haven’t communicated with them for nearly 20 years.
"The sale process is extending to an unpalatable length, everyone’s in the dark and it’s symptomatic. They have to exit but I haven’t got faith that they’ll do the right thing."
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It was November 22 when the Glazers first announced their intention to sell the club. Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe have long been the two front runners in the whole process, although the latter's bid contains a caveat that has angered sections of the United fan base.
The Ineos chief has proposed keeping Joel and Avram Grant on as stakeholders. In contrast, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim wants 100% control of the club, with his bid closer to the £6 million valuation of the owners.
A number of initial bidders, including Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus, withdrew from proceedings, citing faults with the Glazers. He declared he would be pursuing other options after claiming the price tag for the Old Trafford outfit was unrealistic.
