Manchester United have flatly denied sensational claims from Saudi sports boss Turki Alalshikh that the club is close to being sold to new investors.
Alalshikh, who boasts more than seven million followers on X, caused uproar on Wednesday when he posted that United were “in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor” and said he hoped the new owner would be “better than the previous ones.”
Sources inside Old Trafford dismissed the claim within hours, insisting there are no talks under way. Alalshikh then took to X again on Thursday to clarify that he was not the mystery buyer and that the supposed investor was not from Saudi Arabia. Still, the damage was done, and the rumour mill is spinning furiously.
Talks over Saudi friendly
United are already in discussion with Saudi officials about playing a mid-season friendly to raise cash after missing out on European football. The club is exploring the idea of facing a Saudi Pro League side or a heavyweight European opponent such as AC Milan.
Head coach Ruben Amorim admitted the plan is necessary. “We knew missing Europe meant we had to compensate in many areas, including the fans and the budget,” he said last week.
Alalshikh, who unveiled the Riyadh Season schedule on Sunday, claimed the series of sporting events under the brand is now worth $3.2 billion, though football has yet to appear on the programme. Insiders believe a match could still be added.
Long Saudi connection
While there is no current Saudi bid, links between United and the kingdom run deep. In 2017, the club signed a memorandum with Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority to help develop its football industry under Vision 2030. United also inked a lucrative sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom in 2008, later extended in 2013. Both arrangements sparked talk of a Saudi takeover that never materialised.
A fresh purchase attempt would face serious scrutiny from the Premier League, especially since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund already controls Newcastle United and four top-flight Saudi clubs. Multiple ownership from the same source would be a major red flag.
Ratcliffe calling the shots
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe now controls nearly 30 percent of United and is running the football operation with full backing from the Glazer family. “They’re across the pond, we’re here on the ground,” Ratcliffe told The Times podcast The Business. “We sit down together, but the decisions are ours.”
His deal includes a clause allowing the Glazers to force a full sale if a higher offer arrives after August 2025, though Ratcliffe insists relations are strong. There is no sign of secret talks or unrest inside Old Trafford.
For now, Alalshikh’s online tease has stirred the pot, but United’s ownership looks set to remain exactly where it is.
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