Manchester United bidder drops out, tells ESPN sale process ‘a farce’

Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus has withdrawn his offer to buy Manchester United and told ESPN the process is "a farce." Zilliacus, who planned to purchase half the club with the other half owned by fans, made an offer in the second round of bidding, but said he will not participate in the process any longer after The Raine Group, acting on behalf of United owners the Glazer family, indicated they will ask for third bids from interested parties. Sources told ESPN that the Glazers value United at GBP 6B, Rob Dawson of the website reports. "The bidding has turned into a farce in which the Glazers, at the expense of the club, focus purely on driving up the bid to the 6 billion pounds they want for the club," Zilliacus told ESPN. Zilliacus was one of three bidders to make an offer public along with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Sources have told ESPN there are another five bidders who are talking to Raine. Reference Link