Five billionaires who could buy Man Utd like Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Conor McGregor as Glazers ‘explore £9BN takeover’
JUST hours after Cristiano Ronaldo was sacked by Manchester United, it was revealed the Red Devils had been put up for sale by the Glazers.
The controversial American owners have announced they are to “explore strategic alternatives for the club”.
GettyThe controversial Glazer family have put Manchester United up for sale[/caption]
PAUnited fans have protested against the ownership of the club for years[/caption]
After years of protests from the United faithful, the Glazers are now prepared to sell the club outright, with arch-rivals Liverpool also up for sale.
And a deal to for the Red Devils could be worth up to £9BILLION.
Britain’s richest man and United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously expressed his interest in pursuing a deal.
Here, SunSport take a look at five potential new owners, including Ratcliffe, who could throw their hats into the ring.
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SIR JIM RATCLIFFE
Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns Ligue 1 side Nice, Swiss outfit FC Lausanne-Sport, and cycling team Ineos Grenadiers, is worth an estimated £15bn.
He attempted to buy Chelsea before the Blues were sold to American businessman Todd Boehly.
The 70-year-old then expressed his interest in buying United in the summer, before seemingly ruling himself out of taking over at Liverpool or Old Trafford earlier this month.
But official confirmation that the Red Devils are up for sale could see Ratcliffe change his mind.
Times Newspapers LtdSir Jim Ratcliffe is Britain’s richest man – and a Manchester United fan[/caption]
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ELON MUSK
There is expected to be interest in America, with Twitter owner Elon Musk one possible candidate.
The 51-year-old is the richest person in the world – claimed by Forbes to be worth a staggering £154bn.
He has previously revealed his interest in taking over at Old Trafford, tweeting in the summer: “Also, I’m buying Manchester United ur welcome.”
The Tesla CEO and SpaceX owner is not short of the cash to buy the Red Devils, who could become the most valuable sports team in the world with a sale.
APElon Musk said he was “buying” Manchester United in the summer[/caption]
MUHSIN BAYRAK
Muhsin Bayrak is a Turkish billionaire thought to be worth around £8bn.
He claimed earlier this year that he was in negotiations to buy Chelsea, with Roman Abramovich even reportedly flying to Turkey to meet with him.
Bayrak would need to raise more funds to stump up the £9bn it could cost to take over at Old Trafford.
Although Sky News say a deal could be worth anywhere between £5bn and £9bn, so Bayrak could be in luck.
AlamyMuhsin Bayrak claimed earlier this year that he was in negotiations to buy Chelsea[/caption]
CONOR MCGREGOR
Conor McGregor is not a billionaire on his own, but could form part of a consortium to take over at Old Trafford.
The UFC superstar has previously pledged his allegiance to United, before claiming in May that he was a Liverpool fan.
McGregor said earlier this month that he would “love” to buy the Anfield outfit, but could change his mind with the Red Devils on the market.
That was after revealing earlier this year that he was interested in buying Chelsea before American businessman Boehly took over.
McGregor would need heavy backing from elsewhere, but he appears keen to become a Premier League owner.
Conor McGregor has already expressed his interest in buying Chelsea and LiverpoolGetty
MICHAEL KNIGHTON
Michael Knighton is a former director at Manchester United.
Like McGregor, the 71-year-old does not have enough on his own to buy the club, but could potentially form part of a consortium to lodge a bid.
Knighton failed in a £20m bid to take over at Old Trafford in 1989.
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At the time it was the largest sum in history offered for a British club, but his plans were scuppered when two of his backers pulled out and he took a seat on the board instead.
He has been hellbent on ousting the Glazers and announced in the summer that he was planning a “hostile” takeover bid.
PAMichael Knighton is a former director at Old Trafford[/caption]
