Man Utd’s owners want to sell all or part of the club

Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, say they are considering selling the club while they “explore strategic alternatives”.

It comes after years of fan protests against their ownership.

A statement said the board “will consider all strategic alternatives, including further investment in the club, a sale or other transactions involving the company”.

In 2012, the Glazers sold 10% of their stake through a share listing and have sold more shares in subsequent years.

“As we seek to continue to build on the club’s history of success, the board has authorized a comprehensive evaluation of strategic alternatives,” said executive co-chairmen and directors Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer.

“We will assess all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the club today and into the future.

“Throughout this process we will remain fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders and various stakeholders.”

United, who are fifth in the Premier League, have not won the title since 2013 and have not won a trophy since winning the Europa League and EFL Cup in 2017.

There have been several protests against the Glazers’ property in recent years, including one in May 2021 causing United’s league game against Liverpool to be postponed.

Thousands of fans marched on Old Trafford in protest ahead of the same game this season in August.

United were part of the failed European Super League project which quickly collapsed in April 2021. Manchester United co-chairman Joel Glazer later apologized for the discomfort caused.

He has since attended fan forums in the wake of fan unrest and promised to make actions available to fans.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Manchester United with immediate effect on Tuesday, criticized the ownership of the club in a controversial interview last week saying that the Glazer family, “do not care about the club” in the sporting field.

The move to sell United comes amid words from Liverpool chairman Tom Werner Fenway Sports Group was ‘exploring a sale’ of the Anfield club.

A Bloomberg report in August 2022 he said the Glazer family was willing to sell a minority stake in the club.

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe he said he would be interested in the purchase of the club before declaring in October that the Glazer family had told him they did not want to sell.

In May, a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital bought Chelsea for £4.25 billion.

More to follow.