Saudi Winds at Old Trafford: Turki Al-Sheikh Hints at a Possible Manchester United Takeover
9 October 2025
Saudi Hint Signals a Possible Manchester United Sale
Turki Al-Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, hinted at a potential Saudi acquisition of Manchester United in the near future.
British tabloid Daily Mail reported that Al-Sheikh stirred a firestorm by implying a new deal to sell the English club to another investor could be underway.
The article notes that Al-Sheikh, who has been in talks with Manchester United about a Riyadh Season friendly, posted a message on X on Wednesday saying: "The best news I heard today is Manchester United is in an advanced stage of finalizing a sale to a new investor... and I hope they are better than the previous owners." This was seen as signaling a nod to the Glazer family or Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The newspaper added that his remarks came as United's owners seek extra revenue to offset about £100 million in losses amid a string of underwhelming seasons.
Stakes, Players, and Past Attempts
Reports suggest United could earn more than £10 million from pre-season friendlies or a small tournament in Saudi Arabia in the coming months, potentially facing Al Nassr led by Cristiano Ronaldo, or taking part in the Riyadh Season Cup with Al Hilal.
The piece notes that the Glazer family had explored selling 27.7% of Manchester United to Ratcliffe for around £1.25 billion. Yet Al-Sheikh's latest statements reopened questions about the club's ownership future.
Earlier Qatar’s Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani approached a sale of roughly £5 billion, including debt relief and stadium upgrades, but was rebuffed. He later told Bloomberg he preferred not to invest in Premier League clubs, leaving Sir Jim Ratcliffe with a path to control alongside Joel and Avram Glazer, heirs to the club's owners.
Ratcliffe is described as aiming to build a broader sports empire and has begun restructuring the club's leadership since 2024, focusing on long-term sustainability, and upgrading training facilities at Carrington and Old Trafford to reflect United's heritage.
Saudi Dreams and Financial Realities
Since Malcolm Glazer took control of Manchester United in 2005 with a debt-financed deal, the club has carried a heavy financial burden that angered fans. The club's Ferguson-era success gave way to frustration after 2013, and ownership discontent has persisted.
There were attempts to attract investment from the Raine Group, which previously advised on Chelsea's sale, but high interest rates and inflated valuations dampened interest, leaving many bids on the table.
In a formal statement, Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: "Our shared goal is for Manchester United to return to the top of English, European, and world football." He has emphasized a long-term approach and structural changes to empower the club, signaling a patient, foundations-first strategy.
Saudi sports minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, in 2022, said the government would back private sector bids to acquire United and Liverpool. He told BBC that English football is the most watched league in Saudi Arabia and the region, and that private sector bids would positively impact sport in the Kingdom, adding, "If there are investors willing to do so, why not?"
Meanwhile, the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s involvement in Newcastle United—acquired fully by a 2021 deal—has been cited in debates about how Saudi capital could shape English football’s landscape. The league’s ownership body has since reaffirmed that Newcastle would be under independent oversight rather than direct Saudi control.
In closing, observers note that a sale remains a complex, high-stakes process influenced by debt, valuation, and strategic direction for a club with global reach.
