Key Takeaways:
- Manchester United officials stated on Thursday that talk of advanced negotiations for new investors had caught them by surprise
- Saudi sports chief Turki Al-Sheikh declared on Wednesday night that a partial sale is approaching completion, but this was contradicted by club sources
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent interview outlined his long-term strategy for the club and his confidence in Ruben Amorim’s managerial future
Conflicting Reports on Takeover Discussions
Manchester United have responded to claims regarding advanced takeover negotiations, stating that they are not engaged in such talks. The club issued a statement on Thursday, following Saudi sports authority head Turki Al-Sheikh’s comments that suggested a deal to sell a portion of the club was close to being finalised. Al-Sheikh, 44, has been linked to attempts at arranging a mid-season friendly fixture for the Premier League side in Riyadh. He posted on X: “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.”
🚨🚨🌕| MAJOR BREAKING: Manchester United are now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. [@Turki_alalshikh] pic.twitter.com/dsgWPLG9nA
— centredevils. (@centredevils) October 9, 2025
These remarks came shortly after a detailed interview with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s minority shareholder, was broadcast in which he outlined his broader vision for Manchester United. Club insiders later indicated that Al-Sheikh’s assertions had taken them by surprise, and they were unclear about their origin.
Ownership Background and Recent Developments
The Glazer family, who hold the majority stake in Manchester United, previously turned down a substantial bid from Sheikh Jassim At Thani’s consortium from Qatar nearly two years ago. Following the rejection, Sir Jim Ratcliffe secured a 27.7 per cent stake in the club with a £1.25 billion offer, officially completed early last year.
Discussions are ongoing concerning a lucrative trip to Saudi Arabia for a potential friendly match before the end of the current season, though no agreement has yet been reached. The team, managed by Ruben Amorim, is currently facing a succession of free midweek dates after failing to qualify for Uefa competitions and an early exit from the Carabao Cup.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Saudi Investment Claim | Turki Al-Sheikh announced on Wednesday night that United were near to selling a stake |
| United Response | Club sources denied being in advanced talks as of Thursday |
| Majority Sale Rejected | Glazers turned down Sheikh Jassim At Thani’s bid almost two years ago |
| Current Stake | Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns 27.7% after a £1.25bn acquisition finalised early last year |
| Planned Saudi Trip | Discussions on potential friendly in Riyadh ongoing, not finalised |
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Strategic Vision
During his interview on Wednesday with The Times’ Business Podcast, Sir Jim Ratcliffe addressed several pertinent club issues, including his outlook for manager Ruben Amorim. The minority owner emphasised his desire to provide Amorim with a sustained opportunity at the helm, stating, “He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.”
