Turki Alalshikh’s musings about a potential sale of Manchester United might be connected to plans for revamping Old Trafford. United insiders were left scratching their heads when the Saudi Arabian government official hinted at discussions regarding a potential takeover. Alalshikh has been rumored to be considering a surprise bid for ownership at Old Trafford, with ties to businessman Rodolphe Saade.
Alalshikh was previously linked to a potential takeover of French club Marseille a couple of years back, and he has had dealings with billionaire Rodolphe Saade, who also toyed with the idea of acquiring Marseille. Saade serves as the chairman and chief executive of the CMA CGM Group, which recently acquired Freightliner. Interestingly, Freightliner owns land surrounding Old Trafford, which plays a key role in United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision to construct a new 100,000-seater stadium next to the club’s current 115-year-old ground.
Saade and Alalshikh have reportedly met on multiple occasions, with the latter having been the owner of Spanish club Almeria until earlier this year. Alalshikh is most notably recognized in his country for bringing boxing matches to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government official’s recent social media post about Manchester United’s potential sale stirred up a frenzy online, leading to him clarifying that he is not the investor in question, nor are they from his nation. He emphasized that his post was merely that of a fan hoping for a deal to materialize, even though it may not come to fruition.
Lord Seb Coe, the leader of the Old Trafford taskforce, traveled to New York in July to explore potential investors who could assist in funding the new stadium project. United estimates the cost for a new Old Trafford to be as high as £2 billion. It’s worth noting that Alalshikh’s comments triggered speculation about a takeover, prompting the need for clarification. The Saudi government has faced criticism for “sportswashing” through its involvement in boxing and ownership of Newcastle United.
Ratcliffe shed light on his relationship with the Glazer family, United’s majority owners, during an interview with The Business podcast. He highlighted the distance between them, being “local” while the Glazers are “the other side of the pond.” Ratcliffe expressed the importance of having a good working relationship, with the Glazers attending board meetings to discuss various matters. Despite formal agreements outlining control over football operations, Ratcliffe expressed his desire for minimal interference from the Glazers moving forward.
The decision to construct a new stadium as opposed to renovating Old Trafford was made after thorough research on other stadiums like the Bernabeu and Nou Camp. The projected cost for the project is a staggering £2 billion, with plans for a 100,000-capacity stadium. United believes a club of its stature warrants a state-of-the-art facility, with the new stadium set to be built on adjacent land. The club aims not only to build a stadium but also to regenerate the Trafford area where it will be situated.
There were initial thoughts of preserving Old Trafford for potential use as a secondary venue, but the likelihood of complete demolition is increasing. United engaged with 30,000 fans for input, revealing a split opinion on staying at the current location or relocating. Foster + Partners have been appointed as the architects to develop a “masterplan,” drawing on their experience with projects like Wembley Stadium. Old Trafford has been the club’s home since 1910, and the target completion date for the new stadium is 2030.
