Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has criticised the Glazer family for “neglecting” Old Trafford and Manchester United’s Carrington training ground.
The Glazers have been in power since completing a leveraged buyout back in 2005, but there is now a growing optimism amongst the fans that the Americans could be on their way out.
The club was put on the market back in November and a tasking takeover process is now drawing to a close.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is believed to be in pole position to acquire the club, but, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is also said to be weighing up a last-gasp proposal in a bid to pip his rival to a deal.
Anyone who is in charge at Manchester United once the process concludes has plenty to be getting on with. Erik ten Hag will expect to be backed in the market and the clamour for the club’s stadium to be renovated is growing.
Solskjaer was at the helm for close to three years before leaving in November 2021. Throughout his tenure, the Norwegian was diplomatic towards the club’s owners, but he made his feelings clear this week when he returned to Manchester for ‘An evening with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’.
Speaking of the takeover, he said: “It needs to be done. Old Trafford is neglected. The training ground has been neglected. We need to catch up with the other teams.”
Solskjaer’s verdict on the lack of investment the Red Devils have made in their infrastructure tallies with the comments Cristiano Ronaldo made before his bitter Old Trafford exit was confirmed back in November.
The 38-year-old participated in a damning interview with Piers Morgan and took aim at a number of people, including Ten Hag and the Glazers.
And one of the comments that left a huge impression on United supporters was Ronaldo’s bewilderment over how the club had stood still since his initial exit back in 2009.
“Nothing changed [since I left],” Ronaldo told TalkTV back in November. “The pool, the jacuzzi, even the gym, even some technology. Even the chefs who I appreciate, lovely people. I thought I would see new technology, infrastructure. I saw things I saw when I was 20, 21, 23.”
City AM outlined this month that Sheikh Jassim’s third and last proposal for the club, which stands at around £5bn, includes an additional £800m which would be used to give Carrington and Old Trafford a much needed revamp.
However, It remains to be seen if Ratcliffe has any plans for Old Trafford or the club’s other facilities. It is expected that a preferred bidder will be announced soon.
