Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has been accused of staging a 'PR stunt' at the FA Cup final as the uncertainty surrounding the sale of the club continues.
Six months on from United first being put up for sale, a preferred bidder is yet to be named.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe have both submitted several bids for the Premier League club.
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Meanwhile, a number of other parties have expressed an interest in purchasing a minority stake.
But nearly 200 days down the line, neither Sheikh Jassim or Ratcliffe have been publicly named as the preferred bidder by Raine, who are handling the sale on behalf of the Glazer family.
United co-chairman Avram Glazer attended the FA Cup final on Saturday as the Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by rivals Manchester City.
He was spotted at Wembley sat next to former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill.
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When asked to provide fans with an update on the progress of the sale, Glazer refused to comment.
His appearance at the final – his third trip to Wembley this year – has angered some United supporters.
Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan claims some have questioned whether Glazer's attendance alongside Ferguson and Gill was a 'PR stunt'.
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"Some have wondered whether the move was a PR stunt by the American, with both men having had little involvement on decision-making in recent times, or perhaps an attempt at human shielding — particularly given Ferguson's standing among United fans," wrote Keegan.
"Regardless, there was a noticeable lack of anti-Glazer chanting at the match, which may well embolden Glazer and his equally unpopular brother Joel to retain a stake in the club, once the current takeover saga has finally concluded."
Could the Glazers remain at Man Utd?
It had previously been claimed that Ratcliffe's bid for United could include an option for the Glazer siblings to remain at the club as minority share holders.
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Unlike Sheikh Jassim, who is bidding to buy the club in full, Britain's richest man, Ratcliffe, is only attempting to secure a majority stake in the club.
Keegan claimed in April that one of the options on the table for the American owners would see Ratcliffe take a controlling stake of more than 50 per cent, with the two Glazers brothers retaining a combined 20 per cent.
"Those close to the process, which is being run by US merchant bank Raine Group, say the prospect may well prove to be the preferred option with the two Glazer brothers – the members of the family most-heavily involved in the running of the club - given an opportunity to stay," wrote Keegan.
The possibility of the Glazers remaining at United following the sale of the club will no doubt anger many supporters, who have protested against the American family's ownership since they completed a leveraged buyout of the club in 2005.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson