The consortium is still being formed as it seeks funding to confirm its interest in buying the club before approaching the six Glazer siblings who are United’s majority owners. The UAE-based group intends to bring in famous former United players as ambassadors for the club as part of the process.
Cantona, who played for United between 1992 and 1997 and scored 82 goals in 185 appearances, is regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever players and is understood to have been tapped for an ambassadorial role.
Rooney, who played for United between 2004 and 2017 and made 559 appearances, is also an interesting candidate as the club’s record goalscorer (253) and former captain. Beckham, who joined United as a schoolboy and played a key role in Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning side in 1999, is the third prominent former player on the consortium’s wish list.
The Glazers have indicated that part or all of the club could potentially be sold in November 2022. This attracted the attention of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, a Qatari banker, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of Britain’s richest men.
Eleven months later, Sheikh Jassim pulled out of the process as the Glazers valued United at more than £6 billion. It is currently unclear whether Sheikh Jassim will consider renewing his interest.
In February 2024, Ratcliffe became the largest minority shareholder of Manchester United and took control of the club’s football operations, acquiring 27.7% of United’s shares. Since then, its share has increased to 28.94%.
Source: sport.ua