The comment, posted on X earlier this week, sparked a storm of speculation about a possible new investor taking control at Old Trafford. Al-Sheikh wrote that the deal was nearing completion and said he hoped the new owners would “be better than the previous ones.”

However, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority later clarified that he was not personally involved and that the investors were not Saudi. He described his post as the opinion of a fan hoping the talks succeed  though he admitted a deal “might not necessarily happen.”

Reports from talkSPORT suggest the unnamed investment group referenced by Al-Sheikh is based in the UAE. The same report claimed that several Manchester United legends had been approached about joining the consortium.

The Glazer family, who have owned United since 2005, have recently shown interest in allowing minority investment. However, a full sale is seen as unlikely in the near term due to their £5 billion valuation.

A report from The Athletic adds that a complete buyout is improbable before 2026, mainly because of the terms of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority purchase earlier this year. His 25% stake includes a “drag-along rights” clause that could delay any new sale until at least February 2027.

Until then, any investor buying into United would need to match the $33-per-share price Ratcliffe paid a steep figure that makes a full takeover less attractive. After the clause expires, the Glazers would be free to sell at any price, possibly leaving Ratcliffe exposed to losses.

Insiders believe that any serious bidders will wait until after 2026, when the valuation could drop, setting the stage for another chapter in United’s long-running ownership drama.

United’s ownership has often coincided with key turning points in the club’s fortunes from the Edwards family era to the Glazer takeover that sparked fan protests in 2005. Two decades later, those frustrations still simmer, and supporters are once again watching closely for signs of real change at Old Trafford.