Manchester United told “pathetic” reason why they won’t challenge for Premier League title next season

Manchester United’s takeover saga could have a ripple effect on the club’s chances in the Premier League next season, says Gary Neville.

The Glazer family are yet to make a conclusive decision on who they are going to sell the club to despite being close to entering the seventh month since they announced their intention to identify potential investment.

With an important upcoming transfer window for Erik ten Hag, he remains in the dark to how much money he’s able to spend on recruitment due to the takeover situation.

Read More: Gutless yet expected: The Glazers will hand Man United one last blow before takeover

United could leapfrog Newcastle into third place in the Premier League with a win against Chelsea in their penultimate fixture at Old Trafford this season. That would also secure their position in the Champions League next season.

Ten Hag has made important steps forward in his first season in charge at United, but the delayed takeover process, which was labelled as ‘pathetic’ by Neville, makes it difficult to assume that United will be able to challenge for the title next term.

“The reason I’ve not said United right now is that there’s going to be a lot of turbulence in Manchester in the next four to six weeks, in that the Glazers are finally going to make a decision at some point if they get their act together,” said Neville.

“It’s been pathetic what they’re doing. At some point, the new owners are going to come in and they’re going to have to get their feet under the table. To then think they’re going to challenge in their first season…it could happen but I think there will be too much turbulence with the recruitment.”

United have their most important big game test against their rivals Manchester City next month as they face off in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

The Reds have won twice at the national stadium so far this season but will be the underdogs going into this encounter as Pep Guardiola’s side look to complete the second-ever treble by an English club.