Manchester United officials have refuted Saudi sports chairman Turki Alalshikh's claim about an "advanced" takeover deal, though discussions about potential Saudi-hosted friendlies continue.
Manchester United has firmly denied assertions by Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh regarding an imminent club sale, with multiple sources close to the Premier League giants labeling the claims as unfounded.
Alalshikh, a prominent figure with 7.2 million X (formerly Twitter) followers, initially posted: "The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he's better than the previous owners." Following backlash, he later clarified he wasn't the potential buyer and that the investor wasn't Saudi-linked.
While dismissing takeover rumors, United is reportedly exploring revenue-boosting options—including potential mid-season friendlies in Saudi Arabia—after failing to qualify for European competitions. Manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the financial necessity, stating: "We have to compensate for lost revenue and fan engagement opportunities." Riyadh Season's recently unveiled $3.2bn sporting events roster currently excludes football matches, though additions remain possible.
United's connections to Saudi Arabia date back to a 2017 partnership agreement and a decade-long sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom. However, Premier League ownership rules complicate any potential Saudi acquisition, given the Public Investment Fund's control of Newcastle United and four Saudi Pro League clubs.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns 28.94% of United through INEOS, emphasized his collaborative relationship with the Glazer family in a recent interview: "We’re handling football operations locally while maintaining open dialogue with the owners." Financial documents reveal contractual restrictions until 2027, though clauses allow exceptions during ownership changes.
As speculation persists, Alalshikh's contradictory statements leave more questions than answers about United's future ownership landscape.
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