Elon Musk buying Manchester United: Will the world’s richest man become Red Devils’ owner?
The football world is in an uproar after the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, said he wants to buy Manchester United.
Tesla’s chief executive officer made the random statement on social media during a post on Tuesday.
The sports news analyzed whether the billionaire could become the owner of the Red Devils as criticism and negativity continues to swell around the club’s current owners.
How did Elon Musk announce buying Manchester United?
After a tweet about his political allegiances, Musk casually added afterwards that he would buy Manchester United.
“Also I’m buying Manchester United ur (sic) welcome,” the tech billionaire posted on his Twitter Account.
Also, I’m buying Manchester United, welcome
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2022
Musk has not previously been linked with a desire to buy the Premier League giants.
Manchester United’s current owners – the Glazer family – have yet to comment on the allegation.
Is Elon Musk serious about becoming the owner of Manchester United?
It is currently unclear whether Musk is serious about his commitment to buy Manchester United.
The allegation was not further commented on by the Tesla boss, the Glazer family or Manchester United.
Musk is known for making irreverent tweets, the meaning of which is often unclear – meaning his post could be a joke.
Do Manchester United fans want Elon Musk as their owner?
As mentioned below with the protests and dissatisfaction with Manchester United’s current ownership structure, it’s likely that the majority of supporters would welcome a change in the hierarchy.
Earlier this year there was even a group of Manchester United fans who tweeted Musk urging them to buy the club, Stretty News reported.
They urged Musk to buy the Premier League giants instead of Twitter – which the billionaire is currently trying to acquire.
Who are the current owners of Manchester United?
The Glazer family is the current owner of Manchester United.
Their ownership of United dates back to Malcolm Glazer’s original purchase of the club in 2005.
US businessman Glazer gradually increased his stake in United from 2003 by buying out former controlling shareholders JP McManus and John Magnier before quickly acquiring a controlling interest and eventually launching a full takeover via investment company Red Football.
However, due to Glazer’s ill health from 2006, his sons Joel and Avram took over most of United’s day-to-day operations, with the pair now co-chairs at Old Trafford.
After the senior Glazer’s death in 2014, his remaining 90 per cent controlling interest in United was split equally between Joel, Avram and his four other children Kevin, Bryan, Darcie and Edward, who all hold director roles.
Why don’t Manchester United fans like the Glazers?
The united fans’ dislike of the Glazers dates back to their original acquisition, when supporter groups publicly expressed their disagreement over the deal.
Some fans tried to block the sale, much like their revolt against Rupert Murdoch’s offer in the early ’90s when Phoenix groups tried to buy smaller blocks of shares to frustrate the Glazers.
The eventual sale caused a division among United fans, with those who were strongly opposed forming breakaway FC United of Manchester in the pyramid outside of the league as concerns of debt union lingered.
Problems with United’s debt burden are a top concern for fans as United were virtually debt free prior to the Glazers’ arrival.
Some sections of supporters are unhappy at a perceived distance from the Glazers from the practical aspects of running a Premier League club.
However, the attempted move to the European Super League was seen as a deal breaker by a majority of fans as the owners’ disregard for fans pushed thousands of them to protest.
Have there been other protests against the Glazers?
Protests against the Glazers have been ubiquitous over the past two decades, from the formation of FC United in 2005 and the “Love United Hate Glazer” banners at Old Trafford, to the fan-backed Red Knights in 2010 smashing the Club wanted to reduce debt, and it continues to this day.
In 2018-19 fans chartered planes to hoist a ‘Glasers Out’ banner over Old Trafford and away territories, with the emerging fan groups continuing the message that debt spiraling is the primary concern, not performance on the pitch.
The storming of Old Trafford in 2021 made global headlines as United fans reignited their anger, along with millions of other fans who spoke out against their own club’s involvement in the Super League project.
What other sports teams do the Glazers own?
In addition to United, the Glazers have long owned the NFL team Tampa Bay Buccaneers since Malcolm Glazer’s original purchase in 1995.
Glazer bought the club for an NFL franchise-record fee of $192 million before turning control over to son Bryan in the early 2000s.