Manchester United majority owners the Glazers are rumoured to be seeking additional investment however doubt has been thrown over that theory
Manchester United co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) and Avram Glazer (centre)
Rumours have begun to surface again over investment in Manchester United(Image: PA)
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Interested owners or investors in Manchester United would need to consider the club's eye-watering valuation if they are to complete a deal. United's majority owners, the Glazer family, have faced severe criticism from fans for their management of the club ever since the Reds' leveraged buyout in 2005 burdened it with substantial debt - currently estimated at around £1.29billion.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe secured a 27.7 per cent stake in United in a £1.25bn deal at the beginning of 2024, following an agreement with the Glazers. The Ineos founder was given control over footballing and strategic matters at the club; however, there is still talk of potential investment at Old Trafford as plans for the future are put in place.
But former Premier League chief executive Keith Wyness has recently shared doubts over new investment. The former Everton and Aston Villa CEO claims Ratcliffe may have little say in any potential takeover talks at United and believes further investment will help them fund their new stadium project.
Any potential interest would have to consider the club's staggering value - currently estimated by Forbes at $6.6bn (£4.9bn) in May last year. The valuation puts United second on the global list of clubs behind only Real Madrid at $6.7bn.
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Back in 2023, the Glazers were in takeover talks with Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim, with the company Nine Two Foundation set up to complete the takeover.
A statement at the time read: "Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today [Friday February 17] confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club.
"The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and - above all - will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.
Sheikh Jassim sitting at a table
Sheikh Jassim was one of the main contenders to buy Manchester United(Image: PA)
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"The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the club supports.
"The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
"More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops."
Nothing ever came of the bid, with the Glazers instead opting to sell a minority share to Ratcliffe. It seems that Jassim has now given up on completing a takeover through the company.
Records on Companies House show that the Nine Two Foundation company was dissolved via a voluntary strike-off back in September 2024, after notice was given three months earlier.
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