The Saudi Royal Family’s Public Investment Fund, led by Mohammed bin Salman, is finalizing their bid to acquire Manchester United from the Glazer family. In November, the current owners of Manchester United, the Glazer family, announced that they were considering selling the club and exploring other strategic options, which could include new investment. The Glazers have expressed support for a potential Saudi bid, stating that it would have a positive impact on sports within the kingdom.
Currently, the only officially announced bidder for Manchester United is Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos. However, in the coming days, the Saudi Royal Family-owned PIF will also be joining the list of potential buyers. Reports have previously suggested that Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) may also be interested in buying Manchester United. However, with complications surrounding UEFA regulations and the fact that Raine Group, the merchant bank exclusively advising Manchester United in the sale of the club, hopes to sell the club within the first quarter of this year, it is unlikely that QSI will be able to submit a bid in time. QSI has also stated that it is committed to its ownership of Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA regulations state that if two clubs have the same majority-owner and qualify for the same competition, only one team is allowed to enter.
Mohammed bin Salman has been actively pushing for the growth of Saudi Arabia as a sporting nation. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has hosted high-profile boxing matches, including the rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2019, and the fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder in 2020. Additionally, the Saudi Royal Family’s Public Investment Fund, led by Mohammed bin Salman, has already acquired the English football club, Newcastle United in 2019. The acquisition of Manchester United would be a significant addition to the Saudi Royal Family’s sports portfolio and further solidifies their goal of making Saudi Arabia a major player in the global sports industry.
