Members of the Glazer family are reportedly reconsidering whether to sell part or all of their remaining stake in Manchester United, with renewed interest from the Middle East adding to speculation over the club’s future ownership.
Discussions are understood to have begun between individual members of the family before widening to include the possibility of a broader exit. The Glazers have owned United for more than two decades, although Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group took a minority stake in 2024 and assumed control of the football operation.
Middle Eastern interest in Manchester United resurfaces
The latest claims were made by football insider Indy Kaila on Wednesday, who reported that a high-profile investor linked to Dubai-based DAMAC Properties was among the names being discussed.
DAMAC was founded by Hussain Sajwani, the Emirati businessman whose interests extend across property development and other sectors. The company describes Sajwani as its founder and chairman, although there has been no public confirmation that he, DAMAC or any associated party has submitted a formal offer for United.
Any potential bidder would face a substantial financial commitment. However, the current reports do not indicate that an agreement has been reached, nor that the Glazer family has formally initiated a new sale process.
The latest developments follow reports earlier this summer that some family members were examining their options after years of divided opinion over whether to retain their investment or seek an exit.
Why a Manchester United sale would be complicated
Manchester United’s ownership structure means that a transaction involving the Glazers would be more complex than a straightforward sale of ordinary shares.
According to the club’s investor information, the Glazer family held 67.9 per cent of the voting rights as of December 18, 2024, while INEOS held 28.9 per cent. The family owned 48.9 per cent of the total shares, with the difference reflecting the enhanced voting power attached to the Class B shares.
United’s latest corporate filing states that each Class B share carries 10 votes, allowing its holders to exert significant influence over major decisions, including a change of control or the sale of the company.
The governance arrangements agreed when INEOS invested also include provisions covering a full sale. A transaction for the entire club could therefore require the involvement or consent of more than one shareholder group, depending on the circumstances and the level of their respective holdings.
Asked whether INEOS would seek full ownership if the Glazers placed a controlling stake on the market, a source familiar with the group declined to comment.
For now, the Glazers remain United’s majority shareholder and no takeover bid has been publicly confirmed. But the reported internal discussions, coupled with renewed Middle Eastern interest, have reopened the possibility of another major twist in the club’s long-running ownership saga.
