There are few clubs in the world whose ownership model is as scrutinised as that of Manchester United Football Club.
History
Supporters of the club were furious when the Glazer family bought the majority of the shares and took ownership of the club in 2005.
In spite of initial success on the pitch, many United fans were never on board with the American owners and as results declined, and more money was siphoned from the club in the form of dividends, the Glazers became hate figures at the club. Ineos became minority owners in 2023 when Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought 27% of the club.
They also gained decision-making powers over football operations, but the Glazers still must sign off on financial decisions at the club.
Speculation
Fans have hardly been left satisfied, and groups like The 1958 have organised protests against the owners.
The two were even labelled a “toxic partnership” by supporters. Financial news outlet Bloomberg suggested earlier in the summer that the Glazers were considering selling more, if not all, of their holdings at the club.
New investment
Street Insider reports that United now have new investors involved in the club.
The publication states that, “London-based investment adviser Boldhaven Management LLP has acquired a 5.6 per cent beneficial interest in Manchester United’s Class A ordinary shares.”
It also adds that, “a Schedule 13G filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission shows the firm beneficially owns 3,113,537 Class A shares.”
The company owns these shares on behalf of other clients.
It has also been confirmed that no individual client owns more than 5% of the remaining shares.
The article also quickly asserts that the “investment was made in the ordinary course of business and was not intended to influence or change control of the club.”
The club will be seeking new investment in coming years to try and pay for the ambitious stadium project that the club hopes to complete in the next decade.
Photo by Miguel Saddi Vitorino via Pexels.com
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
