As with Liverpool FC, sales are also an issue for the English record champions Manchester United. The board announces that a “process to explore strategic alternatives for the association” has been initiated. External help is also conceivable.
The American owners of Manchester United are considering selling the Premier League club. As the English football club announced, the Glazer family is “considering external financing to support growth”. The board will now “consider all strategic alternatives, including new investments in the club, a sale or other transactions affecting the company,” it said in a statement. Man United has been owned by the American Glazer family since 2005.
“Manchester United’s strength comes from the passion and loyalty of our global community of 1.1 billion fans,” Avram and Joel Glazer were quoted as saying on the website. The announcement came around four hours after news that United and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo were terminating the contract. Ronaldo had previously sharply criticized coach Erik ten Hag and the owners in an interview. The Glazers didn’t care about the club, the 37-year-old said. “They get their money from marketing.”
With his criticism of the owners, Ronaldo spoke from the heart of the United fans. “The fish stinks from the head,” said the club’s Supporters Trust. For years, fans have been protesting against the Glazers, who they accuse of running the record champions down. Former United man turned TV commentator Gary Neville even dubbed the Glazers “vultures”.
At the end of this season it will be ten years since the Red Devils last won the English championship. Rivals Manchester City and Liverpool FC have left United behind for the time being. Even Old Trafford, once a flagship stadium, is in bad shape. The announcement on Tuesday evening also shows that the stadium needs to be renovated.
It was only recently announced that Liverpool FC could also get a new owner. Fenway Sports Group is considering a sale. Chelsea FC had previously changed hands in the summer. A consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly took over the London club from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. According to the British media, the price was 4.25 billion pounds (approx. 5 billion euros).
