Report shows that even Elon Musk is said to at least be considering putting in a bid for the club before the soft deadline on Friday. Musk says he grew up in South Africa supporting United. When there were protests against the Glazers’ regime in August, Musk tweeted: “Also, I’m buying Manchester United [you’re] welcome.”
When later asked whether he was serious, he replied: “No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter. I’m not buying any sports teams…”
But Musk was the richest person is the world in 2022 and has been frustrated by the money he has lost since his turbulent purchase of Twitter in October. He may see Manchester United as a cash cow to which he could divert his attention.
Arsenal constantly monitoring Marcus Rashford
Although the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), who own Paris Saint-Germain as well as the Shard and Harrods, are also expected to put in a bid. UEFA bans parties from owning multiple clubs, but PSG were purchased by a separate arm, Qatar Sports Investments. That gives QIA — a public wealth fund worth £400bn — the green light to put in a bid for United. They are said to have prepared a plan to invest in the team, Old Trafford Stadium, and the city of Manchester as part of the bid.
At least one Saudi bid is also expected, though PIF — who since October 2021 own a majority share of Newcastle United — will not be one.
So far only Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the UK’s richest man (worth £6.07bn), has publicly declared he will bid to become United’s new owner. The Oldham-born billionaire is a former Chelsea season-ticket holder but is a boyhood Red Devils fan. He owns the INEOS Group, a British chemical company and it is through INEOS that he will bid to take over the club. He is said to have convinced UK banking behemoths JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to back him.
The Glazers have been majority owners of United since March 2003. The club’s failure to continue dominating English football since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement as manager in 2013 and concerns over how Glazers have operated the club have seen United supporters grow increasingly frustrated in recent years.
As a result, many Red Devils fans are desperate for the Glazers to sell the club.
