Saudi Arabia’s sports chief, Turki Al-Sheikh, has stirred fresh rumours that Manchester United could soon be sold to a new owner.
In a post on X on Wednesday night, Al-Sheikh claimed that the club is “in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor.” He also appeared to take a swipe at the current owners, saying he hopes the new buyer will be “better than the previous owners.”
His post quickly went viral, gaining nearly one million views within hours and sparking new talk about a possible takeover of the Premier League giants.
United’s American owners, the Glazer family, faced heavy criticism last year after turning down a full takeover offer from Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani’s Qatari group. Instead, they sold 27.7 percent of the club to British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe for £1.25 billion.
It’s not yet clear whether Al-Sheikh’s post is based on inside information or simply his opinion, but his comments have reignited tensions among fans who remain unhappy with the club’s ownership.
The timing of his statement is also notable. Manchester United are currently exploring ways to raise more funds and fill financial gaps. Reports suggest the club could earn up to £10 million if they agree to play friendly matches in Saudi Arabia during the Riyadh Season — a major entertainment event managed by Al-Sheikh himself.
Sources say talks are ongoing for United to either join the Riyadh Season Cup, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, or play a one-off match against a Saudi All-Star XI.
With no European football this season and early exits from domestic competitions, United have open slots in their calendar — and a £100 million financial shortfall after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham in Bilbao.
The club has not responded to Al-Sheikh’s comments, but his post has revived a key question many fans are asking once again: Are the Glazers finally ready to sell Manchester United?
