London Defender

The Daily Mirror of the Great Britain

Manchester United’s Glazer owners outbid for the two new IPL teams by CVC Capital and RPSG

The Glazers suffered yet more misery on Monday when they missed out on buying an Indian Premier League cricket team.

A day after their football club were humiliated 5-0 by rivals Liverpool, Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer was in Dubai for the auction of the two new IPL franchises.

The Glazers were one of 10 parties to submit a bid for a team who will take their place in next spring’s competition when it expands from eight sides to 10. 

Manchester United's Glazer owners have been outbid for the two new IPL franchises

Manchester United’s Glazer owners have been outbid for the two new IPL franchises

The Indian Premier League is set to expand from eight sides to 10 ahead of the 2022 season

The Indian Premier League is set to expand from eight sides to 10 ahead of the 2022 season

However, the United owners, who also run NFL outfit Tampa Bay Buccaneers, failed in their attempt to expand their sports empire after bidding less than £500million.

Instead, the franchise in Ahmedabad went to the global private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, who have shares in rugby’s Six Nations and Premiership as well as Spanish football’s LaLiga. 

India’s RPSG Group, led by businessman Sanjiv Goenka, bought the Lucknow team with the highest bid of around £675m.  

IPL chairman, Brijesh Patel, said: ‘The level of interest among the interested parties prove that IPL is among the most sought-after sporting leagues in the world.

RPSG - led by businessman Sanjiv Goenka - made a successful bid for the Lucknow-based side

RPSG – led by businessman Sanjiv Goenka – made a successful bid for the Lucknow-based side

‘We had bids from different parts of the world and from parties with diverse portfolios wanting to make a foray into the world of sports.’

‘It is good be back in the IPL and I am delighted. It is an initial step. We now have to build a good team and perform,’ Goenka told ESPNcricinfo.

RPSG also owned Rising Pune Supergiants, who played in the IPL in 2016 and 2017 when 2021 champions Chennai Super Kings and inaugural winners Rajasthan Royals were banned after being found guilty in an illegal betting and match-fixing probe.

But at the other end of the stick, United’s American owners have undoubtedly wasted the chance to boost the Premier League club’s profile in India in another blow for them in the 24 hours following United’s humiliation.

Capital CVC - who have previously invested in the Six Nations - won the Ahmedabad side

Capital CVC – who have previously invested in the Six Nations – won the Ahmedabad side

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team were hammered by Liverpool at Old Trafford, with United conceding four of them in the first half.

Mohamed Salah then completed his hat-trick to round off the scoring early in the second half, before Paul Pogba was sent off for a two-footed challenge.

The pressure has therefore increased on the Norwegian boss, who is now the shortest odds he’s ever been to leaving the club he joined nearly three years ago now.

Recent reports claim the United dressing room has lost faith in him but no immediate decision on his future from the hierarchy appears forthcoming.

RPSG also owned Rising Pune Supergiants, who played in the IPL in the 2016 and 2017 seasons

RPSG also owned Rising Pune Supergiants, who played in the IPL in the 2016 and 2017 seasons

It comes as a fresh blow for the Glazers following a dismal performance from United on Sunday

It comes as a fresh blow for the Glazers following a dismal performance from United on Sunday

But it was yet another big blow for Solskjaer, whose side now sit seventh in the Premier League table following their third defeat of the top-flight season.

Matches are not becoming any easier either for United, who face a trip to Tottenham at the weekend before the Manchester Derby to start November, a month in which they also face Chelsea and Arsenal. 

Meanwhile, next year will not be the first time there are 10 teams in the IPL, with the tournament including the same number of sides a decade ago. The last time more than eight teams played in the IPL was in 2013, when nine teams took part.

Five IPL franchises have fallen by the wayside since its inception in 2008,  namely Deccan Chargers, Pune Warriors India, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions.

Mohamed Salah (left) scored a hat-trick as United once again came unstuck at Old Trafford

Mohamed Salah (left) scored a hat-trick as United once again came unstuck at Old Trafford

The pressure increased once more on boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his side sat seventh

The pressure increased once more on boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with his side sat seventh