The saga of the Glazers’ ownership of Manchester United could potentially reach a climax much sooner than anticipated, with insiders suggesting a sale could occur before February 2027. Recent stirrings in the football world point to the possible departure of the American owners, with three potential buyers waiting in the wings.
In an intriguing turn of events, Turki Al-Sheikh, a notable figure within the Saudi government, alluded to the possibility of a new investor nearing a deal with the historic club. Al-Sheikh, refraining from divulging specifics, hinted via X, formerly known as Twitter, about an imminent investment move: “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor – I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”
The Glazers had previously relinquished a 27.7 per cent stake in the club to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the influential head of INEOS, in February 2024, granting him critical control over football operations. Ratcliffe, having seen off interest from Qatari financier Sheikh Jassim, took a minority ownership path instead of endorsing a full-scale buyout. Ratcliffe’s tenure has been marked by significant cost-cutting measures, affecting club legends, staff, and the faithful fanbase alike.
Despite aspirations of securing the Premier League title by 2028 and plans to usher in a new 100,000-seater stadium, murmurs swirl that Ratcliffe could soon relinquish control. Al-Sheikh clarified his previous statements, adding an air of speculation about the club’s next chapter: “My yesterday’s post about Manchester United’s potential sale meant one thing: the club is in an advanced negotiation phase with a new investor. Just to clarify, I am not the investor, nor are they from my nation. I’m posting this as a fan who wishes the deal to happen, though it might not necessarily happen.”
According to The Athletic, the Glazers might find it favourable to divest their remaining shares before February 2027 due to specific clauses within the agreement with Ratcliffe. Such terms dictate that until that time, Ratcliffe is assured a certain per-share value for his stake if leveraged, which could set a minimum price expectation for the Glazers’ shares.
The publication underscores a baseline valuation for Manchester United at £4.3 billion and identifies Sheikh Jassim, a consortium based in the United Arab Emirates, and tech mogul Elon Musk as potential acquirers. However, the extent of active interest from these parties remains speculative at this juncture.
With the clock seemingly ticking, Manchester United fans brace themselves for what could be a transformative period in the club’s storied history.
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