Dubai-based billionaire Hussain Sajwani has been linked with a potential investment or takeover of Manchester United as speculation surrounding the club’s ownership structure intensifies.
Sajwani, the founder of luxury real estate company DAMAC Properties, has emerged as one of the names reportedly being discussed amid renewed suggestions that members of the Glazer family are considering selling some or all of their remaining stake in the Premier League giants.
Reports earlier this month indicated that Middle Eastern interest in Manchester United had resurfaced, with a high-profile investor linked to DAMAC Properties among the names circulating. However, there is currently no public confirmation that Sajwani or DAMAC Properties has submitted a formal bid for the club.
The speculation comes at a difficult period on the pitch for Manchester United, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday after Matheus Cunha’s late equaliser rescued a point for Michael Carrick’s side.
Away from the pitch, however, the club’s ownership structure remains an important part of the discussion.
The Glazer family still holds majority voting control through Manchester United’s Class B shares, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS owns a minority stake of around 29% and has control over the club’s football operations. Manchester United’s own investor information lists the Glazers with 67.9% of voting rights and INEOS with 28.9%, based on its December 2024 figures.
That structure means any potential full takeover would be considerably more complicated than a straightforward purchase of the publicly traded shares.
Sajwani linked with Manchester United investment
Sajwani’s name has attracted attention because of his background in luxury real estate and his position as founder of DAMAC Properties.
Social media claims have suggested that a potential investment could involve significant financial backing for Manchester United’s long-term development, including the club’s plans surrounding a potential new Old Trafford. Other reports have gone further by claiming that Sajwani could provide as much as £1.5bn for transfers.
Those claims, however, have not been officially confirmed.
There is also an established football connection between DAMAC and the Premier League. The company has previously been involved in sponsorship and property-development partnerships with Chelsea, including luxury branded residences in Dubai.
For Manchester United supporters, the renewed speculation is therefore likely to attract significant attention, particularly given the continuing debate around the club’s ownership and infrastructure plans.
Reports have also noted that rumours connecting DAMAC-linked investors with Manchester United have surfaced previously without developing into a confirmed transaction.
For now, the situation remains at the speculation stage. There has been no publicly confirmed formal takeover bid from Sajwani or DAMAC, while the Glazer family’s position remains unchanged in the official ownership structure.
Any eventual takeover would require navigating the club’s dual-class share structure and the existing relationship between the Glazer family and INEOS.
The latest reports nevertheless indicate that overseas investors are monitoring Manchester United as some members of the current ownership group consider their future, keeping the possibility of further changes at Old Trafford firmly in the spotlight.
