Manchester United for sale? Saudi billionaire’s social media post sends fans into frenzy
A general view outside Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium ahead of a Premier League match against Burnley.
Image: Oli Scarff/AFP
A Saudi Arabian billionaire has left Manchester United fans excited after his post on X following the club’s thrilling 3-2 win over Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday evening.
Michael Carrick’s United made it two wins in two games when they came back from 1-0 down to pull off a stunning win over the title chasers. The result comes a week after the club beat Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford in interim manager Carrick’s first game in charge.
The results have lifted the mood around the club, who had endured a difficult start to the campaign under sacked manager Ruben Amorim. After picking up the maximum six points against City and Arsenal, United find themselves in fourth place, eight points behind City and Aston Villa in second and third.
United fans’ giddiness went fever pitch after their win on Sunday after Saudi Arabian billionaire Turki Alalshikh posted the United badge on his official page on X, accompanied by three fire emojis, accompanied by a heart and a peace sign.
Alalshikh is heavily involved in promoting entertainment and sports such as boxing and football in Saudi Arabia. Last year, he was reported looking to buy an English club. Last October, he claimed United were “in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor”.
According to reports, Manchester United majority owners the Glazers are rumoured to be seeking additional investment however.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe spent £1.25 billion to buy a 27.7 per cent stake in the club at the beginning of 2024. The INEOS founder was given control over footballing and strategic matters at the club, however, there is still talk of potential investment at Old Trafford.
Whether Alalshikh’s post proves to be nothing more than social-media admiration or a hint at something more substantial remains to be seen, but its timing has inevitably fuelled speculation among supporters desperate for clarity and ambition at boardroom level.
For now, United’s focus remains on a revived push for the top end of the table under Carrick, yet as results improve on the pitch, the spotlight off it is only growing brighter – and any sign of interest from global powerbrokers is sure to keep Old Trafford’s rumour mill spinning at full speed.
IOL Sport