Glazers reportedly possess ability to force Ratcliffe sale of Man United as owners furious with 'downgrade'

Things have been chaotic at Manchester United this season to say the least, as the Red Devils are on a catastrophic winless run which has not only put manager Michael Carrick under fire, but also the ownership group.

United lost 2-0 to Chelsea on Saturday, the club's second straight Premier League defeat which left them without a victory on the domestic season since August 30 when they beat newly-promoted Ipswich Town. They have failed to win any of their last nine games across all competitions, dating back to a 4-0 victory over Champions League minnows Sabah on September 10.

With United sitting 17th in the top flight table, it marks their worst start to any league season in the Premier League era through their first eight games, with just seven points through their first nine games.

The current situation leaves the fans irate with how far United have fallen under current ownership, with both the Glazer family and Jim Ratcliffe in their sights.

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Glazer family can reportedly force Ratcliffe sale of Man United

Despite taking a back seat in terms of the day-to-day football operations, the Glazers remain as majority owners of Manchester United, in control of 72% of the club's shares. When Jim Ratcliffe bought 28% of the club in early 2024, the INEOS chief assumed operational control of the club per the terms of their deal.

According to multiple reports in England, including ESPN, the minority sale to Ratcliffe includes a "drag-along" clause that would force Ratcliffe to sell his 28% share of the club if the Glazers wished to sell, pushing through a 100% sale, effectively forcing Ratcliffe to offload his portion whether he wants to or not.

The ESPN report states that if a sale is procured before February 2027, Ratcliffe is guaranteed $33 per share, which is what he purchased his ownership stake for, but once that clause expires, the Glazers can sell for any figure whether Ratcliffe is happy with the price or not.

As of close of business on Friday, October 23, Man United share price sat at $20.61.

The ESPN report claims that the Glazer family does want to sell, but that they are "waiting for the right time to cash in," saying there is "no market right now for investors looking to buy a Premier League team," partly because of issues with United particularly, and partly because of outside forces, such as the pending Manchester City punishment.

Glazers reportedly furious with Ratcliffe handling of Man United

According to a report by The Mirror on October 29, the Glazer family is incredibly frustrated with how Jim Ratcliffe has handled the football side of things at Manchester United since he arrived.

The report cites a "source with social ties to the family" which apparently told them "it's a travesty and not what they expected or were promised," and saying that the Glazer family has "never run the club this way."

The ESPN report mentioned earlier, meanwhile, cites a source which attended the club's recent 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth from the director's box, saying, "The fans were all singing about the Glazers, but I'm not sure they realize how bad Jim is. He couldn't have masterminded a worse situation.

"He's downgraded in all departments. It's basically the opposite of what he said his strategy is."