The ‘Red Devils’ bounce back
Manchester United FC has endured many changes during its 2022-23 season, regaining momentum after dropping down to 20th in the league table. The Red Devils’ remarkable comeback highlights the crucial role Erik Ten Hag plays in the club as they rebuild toward a brighter future in European football, with or without the Glazer family.
The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo ![]()
The atmosphere at the club was fairly poor at the start of the season, with Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo and newly hired coach Erik Ten Hag clashing over internal affairs.
Fans call for change
The conflict trickled down to the fans, where many began to question the club’s ownership due to its poor management in recent years.
A winning project![]()
The Glazer family leveraged a buyout in 2005, purchasing the club for a total of $1.4bn. At the time of purchase, Sir Alex Ferguson was the coach and Manchester United had a sense of direction.
Eight years of glory
In the first eight years of Glazer ownership, the Red Devils went on to win one European competition and a handful of Premier League titles. Their last league title was under Sir Alex Ferguson, in the 2013 season.
Goodbye Sir Alex Ferguson![]()
After the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, the club has since then failed to win a league or pass to another Champions League semi-final. In recent years, there has been growing criticism from fans and Manchester United icons, claiming the team lacks direction. Many of these critiques called for a revolutionizing change at the club, starting with a change in ownership.
Change in ownership
There are now talks of potential takeovers as Manchester United owners listen to various proposals. The strongest bid comes from Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, who has recently shown a strong presence around Old Trafford.
Accumulating dept![]()
A promising Qatari bid
The Qatari bid for Manchester United would wipe out all the club’s debts, while still standing at $622mn net. This a solid offer that would drastically help the club’s finances while also committing a big investment into the men’s and woman’s teams, the stadium, and a major redevelopment project for a new training ground.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe gets a bid in too![]()
Another strong proposal is from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has bid for 69 percent of Manchester United. The British businessman would like to bring the club back to its former glory.
Buying out the Glazers 
Sir Jim Ratcliffe would buy out the Glazers alongside the rest of the shares, which are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Although there is no mention of infrastructure improvements in his statement.
Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe?![]()
Sir Ratcliffe is an outspoken Manchester United fan and has expressed his desire to own a Premier League club. His company, the petrochemical multination INEOS, has also been accused of using greenwashing – football is one of the many sports used to improve their corporate reputation.
Multi-club ownership
The British millionaire also owns O.G.C. Nice, a Ligue 1 team currently middling in the French league table. Ratcliffe also owns FC Laussanne-Sport, a cycling team, and a third of the Mercedes Formula 1 team. Manchester United would enter a multi-club ownership model like many others in the Premier League.
American banks smell the money![]()
Sir Ratcliffe is believed to have been working with Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan however, any of the depts from the takeover process would not be loaded onto the club, as was the case with the Glazers.
US hedge fund get involved
US hedge fund Elliott Management also logged a proposal regarding Manchester United. The proposal is not qualified as a bid for the English club but as a financial alternative. The proposal could involve the US hedge taking a stake in the club or providing debt financing or a mix of both.
Football, what really matters![]()
