Manchester United appears to be at an “advanced stage” of finalizing a deal for the sale of the club to a new investor, according to Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Al-Sheikh, a prominent figure in Saudi sports and entertainment, suggested in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Manchester United is close to completing a full ownership change.
This revelation comes only 20 months after British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired a 27.7% stake in the club through his company INEOS, gaining control of football operations including managerial decisions and player recruitment.
The Glazer family, who have been Manchester United’s majority owners for years, previously rejected a takeover bid by a Qatari consortium led by Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani but sold a significant minority stake to Ratcliffe for £1.25 billion in 2023.
Al-Sheikh hinted at dissatisfaction with the current ownership, saying he hopes the new investor is “better than the previous owners.” However, sources within Manchester United have reportedly refuted the claim of an imminent sale, while Al-Sheikh later clarified he is not the buyer nor is the investor Saudi, emphasizing the message was from a fan perspective hoping the deal will happen.
Despite speculation, Manchester United is currently negotiating with Saudi Arabia about potential mid-season friendlies, part of the “Riyadh Season” entertainment initiative, with proposed match fees expected to bolster revenue amidst recent failures to qualify for European competition.
The club is enduring a challenging spell under new manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag after a disappointing season including the worst-ever Premier League finish. United’s financial decisions and hiring choices, including costly managerial turnovers, have recently attracted criticism.
If a sale materializes, it could represent a significant turning point for Manchester United, altering the ownership landscape that has been dominated by the Glazers for over a decade. However, complexities exist, including Premier League ownership rules and existing agreements like the “drag-along clause” that might compel Ratcliffe to sell his shares if a deal is finalized.
For now, the situation remains fluid, with fans and analysts closely watching for further developments in what could become one of the most significant transfers of football club ownership in recent years.
