Man Utd at 'Advanced' Stage to Sell Club to New Investor - Saudi Official

Saudi sports chief Turki Al-Sheikh has hinted that Manchester United could soon be sold to a new investor, saying the club are in an ‘advanced stage’ of finalising a sale.

The prominent Saudi official posted a message on X on Wednesday night suggesting that a potential new takeover bid may be coming for the Old Trafford side, just 20 months after Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7% stake in the club.

The claims come amid reports that United are in talks over a potential mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia, aimed at boosting revenues, after Ruben Amorim’s side failed to qualify for European competitions last season.

Al-Sheikh, head of the General Entertainment Authority responsible for bringing some of the world’s biggest sports events to Saudi Arabia, is reported to be in talks with United over mid-season friendlies, with the club potentially earning around £5m per game if a deal goes ahead.

Saudi Official Drops Man Utd Takeover Hint

Al-Sheikh posted a message on X on Wednesday night, suggesting that Man United could soon be sold to a new investor:

“The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor... I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”

United’s majority owners, the Glazer family, rejected a takeover bid by Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani’s Qatari consortium before selling a stake in the club to Ratcliffe for £1.25bn last year.

The British billionaire increased his stake in United last December by injecting a further £79.3m, raising his ownership share to 28.94%.

Ratcliffe’s company INEOS, which controls football operations at Old Trafford, sacked manager Erik ten Hag in November last year and appointed Amorim, who has produced disappointing results since.

The Portuguese tactician oversaw United’s worst-ever Premier League finish, coming 15th in his first season, and suffered defeat in the Europa League final, leaving the club without European football for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign.

United sit 10th in the Premier League after seven games this season, with 10 points, and have already been eliminated from the EFL Cup by Grimsby Town.

The Old Trafford side face champions Liverpool away following the international break, with Amorim still seeking his first back-to-back league wins as United boss.

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