Uncertainties grow over bid for United

Concerns are growing among some parties involved in the Manchester United sale that the Glazers could be trying to play them, and that instead of selling the club, they are trying to push up the price to create leverage for a loan.

Eyebrows are raised over claims that up to eight bidders are interested in the club, given that only two of the Ineos owner Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim's Qatari consortium have gone public.

The deadline for the second round of bids was extended on Wednesday, and the latest fears came after the deadline for the second round of bids was extended.

On Thursday lunchtime, all parties involved were still waiting to hear when the new deadline might be for the second round of bidding, with some suggesting that a fluid approach could be introduced by Raine, the US bank in charge of the sale.

Raine is trying to push the price for United towards the upper end of the Glazers 5 -- 6 bn valuation much higher than the Qataris or Ratcliffe want to pay or to allow them to create leverage for another loan, which is why it is suspect that Raine is trying to ramp up a bidding process that is not as competitive as some are making out.

If the Glazers were to keep the club but sell a minority stake to a US hedge fund, it's unclear how many people would want to hand over so much cash but not run a club themselves.

The share price of United has risen by over 15% in the past five days to $25.42 on Thursday, the latest plot twist comes as the share price of the company has gone up by over 15% in the past five days.

As things stand, United's net debts stand at 514.9 m, which means just 35.1 m has come off the 550 m load onto the club as a result of the Glazers takeover in 2005. Both Ineos and Sheikh Jassim's Qatari consortium have promised to return the club to its former glory on and off the pitch.

The chances of it happening now don't look as certain as it used to be.