'so if Peel or MAN PLC felt so inclined, they could put in a bid'
Bid they can, but my mole however (close to one of the council executives) suggests there was some worry about selling to the wrong people. He says there are some very anti-Peel / MAPLC feelings within [I]one[I] council to ensure that a sale to either of these parties is unlikely.
Likewise, if you were a bear would you sh** in the w**ds?
I think other players will stump up better money rather than pay over the odds and dilute existing, competing, airports...read Peel (DSA, MME) and MAPLC (HUY, EMA and of course MAN).