Watch: David Ornstein on Man Utd, Gakpo & Felix, teases ‘seismic moment’
Manchester United’s takeover could be “coming very soon” according to well-known transfer insider David Ornstein. He also discussed why the club missed out on Cody Gakpo, and suggested that Joao Felix is a potential option to plug the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ornstein, who works as a football correspondent for The Athletic, was giving the full lowdown of the state of play at Old Trafford ahead of United’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.
The journalist was appearing on NBC Sports’ coverage of the Premier League, and gave many United fans the news they’ve been longing to hear – that the Glazers could soon be selling the club.
“I don’t think there’s much money to spend at Manchester United,” began Ornstein.
“So I don’t want to disappoint fans. But it’s most likely going to have to be a loan deal. Interestingly, they had admiration for Cody Gakpo. They almost signed him in the summer window. Erik ten Hag is a massive fan. But they see Gakpo as primarily a wide forward.
“Therefore, they also are looking at somebody like Joao Felix, if they can do that loan deal. There’ll be a number of other options as well.
“But I think we need to remember, with the United sale here, the Raine [Group] bank who are in charge of this process, they’re aiming for a complete sale of Manchester United in the first quarter of 2023. And therefore, the Glazer family are not going to be willing to sanction a massive outlay of cash on transfer deals at this time of the year.
“I think that Manchester United will always be trying to do their business in the summer, and I think Erik ten Hag is quite content with what he has, but he would like – as he explained after the match the other night – to add to that forward line.
“The only name I’m hearing at the moment is Joao Felix. Again, if the numbers come down, on a loan basis. So it’s a very interesting situation. And you’ve got to watch this space on that takeover because it could be coming very soon. And it will be a seismic moment in the history of Manchester United, because so many supporters have wanted a change in the hierarchy at Manchester United.
“They’ve had so many changes on and off the pitch, but now it could go to the very top. If Raine bank, who are leading this process, get their way – it’s going to be a fascinating few months ahead, to see who takes the reins at Manchester United and lead them forward into the future.
“Erik ten Hag is doing a good job on the pitch, but what’s happening off it is perhaps the most fascinating question.”
David Ornstein: “You’ve gotta watch this space on that takeover [of Manchester United] because it could be coming very soon.”
— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) December 28, 2022
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