Turki Alalshikh enthralled fans with a cryptic message about Manchester United and a possible takeover.
A member of the Saudi Royal Family has responded to Turki Alalshikh’s startling assertion concerning Manchester United’s takeover.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe formally signed an agreement to acquire an initial 25% ownership in United in December 2023, which was said to be valued more than £1 billion.
Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim had been Ratcliffe’s main challenger in the bid, but he and INEOS took over operations in February 2024 and have been at the centre of all key football decisions since.
The Glazers family remains the dominant owner of the 13-time Premier League champions, and Ratcliffe’s arrival has not been well received following a series of controversial cost-cutting measures and a lack of success on the pitch.
On Wednesday night, Alalshikh sent United fans into a frenzy when he claimed to have “heard” that a potential new investment in United was imminent.
Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, took to social media site X and wrote: “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in the advanced stages of completing a deal to sell to a new investor – I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”
The 44-year-old, who formerly owned Egyptian side Pyramids and Spanish outfit Almeria, posted a cryptic message that revealed little information.
However, Prince Saud Mishal, a member of the Saudi royal family and rumoured United supporter, made a cameo in the replies.
Mishal, who has a blue tick on the site, responded to Alalshikh’s post with the praying hand emoji.
The prince is an entrepreneur, businessman, and CEO of Al-Manahil Holding, which focusses on investments in retail, entertainment, and leisure as part of the country’s Vision 2030 transformation.
But he is also the chairman of the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, which was established in January and is entrusted with expanding the sport in the nation.
He often updates his Instagram account, which has over 30,000 followers.
Alalshikh made no particular reference to Saudi Arabia in his message, but he expressed optimism that the mystery buyer he named will be “better” than prior owners.
Despite issues on and off the pitch, Ratcliffe defended his time at Old Trafford and voiced hope about the club’s future, despite the fact that it is not competing in Europe this season.
“If you look at our numbers from last year, we had the biggest revenue ever. “Profitability is the second highest ever,” Ratcliffe told The Business Podcast.
“We’re not seeing the full benefits of our restructuring in these results, and we’re not in the Champions League.” These numbers will improve.
“Manchester United will become the most profitable football club in the world, in my view, and from that will stem, I hope, a long-term, sustainable, high-level of football.”
xz
