Members of the Glazer family, who have held a stake in Manchester United FC for more than 20 years, are reportedly considering selling their shares amid ongoing fan protests, according to sources close to the matter.
Several family members are evaluating the possibility of selling part or all of their stakes in the Premier League club, as per the sources.
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Initial discussions involved a few family members contemplating individual sales of their stakes, but they are now attempting to persuade others to join them, the sources indicated.
These negotiations arise as the owners of Manchester United face a significant multibillion-pound investment required for renovations to the historic Old Trafford stadium in the coming years.
An artist’s rendering of the new stadium for Manchester United, revealed by Foster + Partners in March of last year. Image: Supplied
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On the other hand, the club’s recent qualification for the lucrative UEFA Champions League opens up new revenue possibilities, providing a reason for the Glazers to maintain their investment.
The Glazer family has yet to make a decision regarding a potential exit, with various members still weighing their options, some of whom remain against a sale, complicating the likelihood of any consensus, sources say.
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No comment
A spokesperson for Manchester United declined to comment on the ongoing discussions. The Glazer family did not respond to requests for comments made through the club.
Potential buyers may include investors from the Middle East and affluent individuals based in the US.
However, prospective buyers could face a significant price tag for such a prestigious sports asset, especially given the high financing costs associated with major M&A deals.
Manchester United shares are currently trading at around $21 on the New York Stock Exchange, giving the club an approximate market value of $3.6 billion. Nonetheless, any sale could exceed that valuation due to the voting rights associated with the Glazer shares.
Avram and Joel Glazer currently serve as executive co-chairmen of the club, joined by their siblings Kevin Glazer, Bryan Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, and Edward Glazer, all of whom hold directorial roles.
The current discussions within the Glazer family come just over two years after they sold about a 29% stake in Manchester United to Jim Ratcliffe.
This transaction allowed the UK billionaire and founder of Ineos Group Holdings SA to gain control over the club’s football operations. Family members were divided on whether to sell part or all of the club, ultimately deciding on the deal with Ratcliffe rather than a complete sale to a consortium of wealthy Qatari investors, who had reportedly offered over £5 billion ($6.7 billion) for the club, according to Bloomberg News.
A representative for Ineos did not immediately respond to queries.
Fan discontent
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Malcolm Glazer acquired Manchester United through a leveraged buyout in 2005, resulting in substantial debt for the club.
While initial success on the field under legendary former manager Alex Ferguson helped alleviate fan discontent, conditions began to deteriorate following Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Since then, Manchester United has cycled through numerous managers and high-profile players, managing to win only a handful of trophies.
Despite Jim Ratcliffe’s later involvement, Manchester United struggled and failed to qualify for European competitions for the first time in over a decade in 2025. This intensified the sentiment among some fans for a more drastic change in ownership.
However, conditions improved in the latter half of last season, culminating in qualification for the highly sought-after UEFA Champions League tournament. This achievement would likely enhance Manchester United’s value in any forthcoming sale.
As one of the most recognized and successful teams in global football, Manchester United has a record of 13 English Premier League titles and has consistently attracted top talents such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Yet, recent dominance in English football has shifted to cross-town rivals Manchester City FC, who have garnered numerous accolades since being acquired by Abu Dhabi investors in 2008.
Recently, Manchester City secured the Carabao Cup and FA Cup but lost the Premier League title race to Arsenal FC, the London club backed by US billionaire Stan Kroenke.
© 2026 Bloomberg
