The Glazers, who infamously bought United for £790 million back in 2005, have faced years of fury from fans demanding they sell. Yet even amid protests and dwindling faith, the family continues to cling tightly to their shares. They believe United’s value will skyrocket once the club’s mega-stadium project kicks off, and they want any buyer to pay upfront for that potential. Behind closed doors, insiders say United’s owners have already rejected three discreet approaches, including one from a Gulf-based fund – but the door remains “slightly ajar” for the right bidder, as reported by The Mirror.
Turki Al-Sheikh,a billionaire entertainmentand sports magnate with deep ties across boxing, snooker, UFC and football, is reportedly leading the charge for the takeover. Known for his grand gestures and aggressive investments, Turki has hinted that talks with United are at an “advanced stage”, sparking a frenzy online. However, club insiders insist no official deal is in place, while the Glazers remain tight-lipped. For Turki, the allure of United is obvious: global reach, massive fanbase, and prestige unmatched in world football. But convincing the Glazers to part ways with their 48.9% controlling stake won’t be easy, or cheap. In a cryptic post on social media, he said: “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.”
Fans have seen this movie before. In 2024, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani made a full takeover bid, reportedly worth over £5 billion, before storming out after months of failed negotiations. Instead, the Glazers chose to sell 27.7% of United to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, handing him control over football operations through his INEOS empire. Ratcliffe, who paid £1.25 billion, has since made several pointed comments about the failed Qatari bid. “Still nobody’s ever seen him (Sheikh Jassim), actually,” the INEOS chief said. “The Glazers never met him…he never…I’m not sure he exists!”
United may boast huge revenues, but behind the scenes, the books are strained. Missing out on European qualification this season has left a £100 million black hole in the club’s finances. The humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two Grimsby only added to the misery, with gaps now appearing in United’s midweek calendar. Club bosses are scrambling to plug that financial hole with money-spinning friendlies abroad, and Saudi Arabia is once again the land of opportunity. The Red Devils are already weighing a lucrative trip to the Middle East, where they could pocket £5 million per match in exhibition fees. Reports suggest the club could feature in the Riyadh Season Cup, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, in a mini-tournament worth £15 million total. United are also considering an All-Star friendly featuring Saudi Arabia’s top players, a mirror of the 2023 Paris Saint-Germain showcase that saw Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé share a pitch. That game alone could earn United another £5 million.
While the Glazers publicly claim to be deeply involved in the club’s future, their recent financial manoeuvres suggest otherwise. United’s record £670 million revenue hasn’t stopped sweeping staff redundancies, while the board continues to search desperately for new investors. One potential solution on the table: the Glazers could sell part of their stake, likely to a Saudi consortium, in exchange for a cash injection to bankroll the stadium project. But at £5.2 billion, the price tag borders on fantasy. Still, if Turki Al-Sheikh, or anyone else, is bold enough to meet it, the Glazers could finally walk away richer than ever. Until then, United fans will have to watch as their club teeters between ambition and greed, caught in the hands of owners who just can’t seem to let go.
