Man United takeover update: UAE investors ‘approach’ club’s ex-stars over new roles
Man United’s potential new owners want a number of ex-players to join their consortium in new roles if they are to take over from the Glazers soon.
The Glazers have owned Man United in some part since May 2005, and the majority of fans have been opposed to their leadership in their recent years of decline.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe became a part-owner of the Red Devils last year through INEOS, and rumours around the Glazers’ future at Old Trafford have been widespread amid the local businessman’s increasing influence on proceedings at the club.
Football Insider revealed last month that the Glazers could be open to a sale of Man United once more progress is made on their new stadium project, and new reports have since emerged about a potential deal being brokered with an overseas consortium.
Saudi sports chief Turki Al-Sheikh recently claimed that Man United are at an advanced stage of completing a sale to a new investor, and new developments have now emerged around the party that could be about to take over at Old Trafford.
UAE investors want ex-Man United players to be club ambassadors
Football Insider revealed on Thursday (9 October) that Saudi investors are not behind a potential Man United takeover, and the BBC have reported that numerous sources close to the club have said the claim from Turki Al-Sheikh is untrue.
The Daily Mail (9 October) have, however, claimed that a consortium based in the United Arab Emirates is understood to be considering making an offer to the Glazer family, who are set to demand in excess of £5billion for sale to go through.
According to the report, the Red Devils potential new owners have already “approached” some ex-United players about coming on board as ambassadors if they are able to complete a takeover, but so far there has so far been no official contact with the Glazers.
Club legends such as Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin and Andy Cole all currently serve as global ambassadors for the club, so it seems like they will be joined by fellow Red Devils alumni if the UAE-based investors are successful in their mission to take charge at Old Trafford.
New takeover at Man United could plunge Ruben Amorim’s future into doubt
Away from off-field events, United have once again struggled for form this season under Ruben Amorim, with just three wins from eight games at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Amorim met with Man United part-owner Ratcliffe last month to discuss his future, and he has been given a reprieve as head-coach over the last few weeks despite increasing rumours around his future after a lowly 15th-placed finish last season.
Ratcliffe recently insisted that Amorim will be given “three years” as Man United boss to lead the club forward, which has surprised many fans and neutrals considering their current predicament.
It is clear that the Glazers are backing Ratcliffe to make the right decision regarding the Portuguese head-coach’s future, but their exit would pave the way for fresh ideas and a potential change of boss.
Amorim, therefore, will likely hope that the American owners stay in place, at least for now, until he is either able to turn the Red Devils’ fortunes around or is relieved of his duties.