Man Utd takeover latest amid huge Turki Al-Sheikh claim and Glazers decision

Manchester United are once again in the spotlight thanks to rumours of a potential takeover, just a matter of hours after comments from minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Speculation has been sparked by a social media post from Saudi Arabian businessman Turki Al-Sheikh, who has hinted at possible new ownership for Old Trafford.

The rumours come amid United's mixed start to the season, with Ruben Amorim's side currently sitting in tenth place in the Premier League table during the second international break having already been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town.

Ratcliffe has since publicly discussed his plans, expressing his intention to give head coach Amorim more time but talk of new ownership is back in the headlines aagin.

Here's a roundup of all the developments this week...

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Turki Al-Sheikh claim

Saudi Billionaire Turki Al-Sheikh has reignited takeover rumours with a social media post stating: "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."

This post caused a stir on social media but, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, United have been taken aback by the speculation.

He later took to social media again on Thursday night, adding: "My yesterday’s post about Manchester United's potential sale meant one thing: the club is in an advanced negotiation phase with a new investor.

"Just to clarify, I am not the investor, nor are they from my nation. I'm posting this as a fan who wishes the deal to happen, though it might not necessarily happen."

Price set

If the Glazers were to consider selling, it would require a bid starting at around £5.2 billion.

As previously reported the club's current valuation stands at approximately £2bn, but the family would demand a significant premium reflecting potential future increases in value.

This would also take into account the potential worth given the plans to build a new stadium. Back in March, plans were announced for a new 100,000 seater arena with an estimated cost of around £2bn.

Championship links

Last month, Al-Sheikh broke his silence on claims he he was rumoured to be considering a takeover of Championship club Bristol City.

However, he took to X to simply write: "It is not true that I will buy Bristol City FC (thumbs up)."

Al-Sheikh himself has not been linked with a move for United, but there has been considerable interest in the finances of the 44 year-old since his post on social media regarding the club overnight.

Ratcliffe hint

The latest talk about a possible takeover comes just hours after a fresh interview was released with co-owner Ratcliffe. In the conversation, he hinted at his intention to stay put.

Discussing the club's recent cuts on The Times' The Business podcast, he said: "The more cash you've got, the better squad you can build.

"It's like a Formula One car - the better car you can build, the quicker you go. The better your squad, the better your football should be.

"So a lot of what we've done in the first year is spend an awful lot of time putting the club on a sustainable, healthy footing. If you look at our results for last year, we have the highest revenues ever. Profitability, the second highest ever.

"We're not seeing all the benefits of the restructuring that we've done in this set of results, and we weren't in the Champions League. Those numbers will get better. 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."

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