Manchester United ownership has been a bit of a saga for the last few years, with majority owners the Glazer family inviting bids for the sale of the club in 2023.
Two frontrunners emerged in the race for Old Trafford – Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, proposing a total buyout, and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose plan involved a staged takeover. Ratcliffe now owns about a quarter of the club and has “taken control of football operations”.
But in this article, we will talk about how regular punters can get some skin in the game, too. We will kick off with the nitty-gritty process of how to become a Man U shareholder. Then we’ll explain the risks, the club’s financial situation, and how the Red Devil stock price has fared over the last decade.
Manchester United PLC was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2012, under the ticker “MANU”. Buying shares is fairly straightforward. Simply follow the steps below to become a Man United shareholder.
Manchester United is a professional football club based in the North West of England. With a total of 20 top-flight league titles, and 66 major trophies to its name, Man United is one of the most successful football clubs in the world.
Manchester United’s on-the-field success has enabled it to become one of the most supported football teams on the planet – and one of the richest. Manchester United is currently ranked second in the Forbe’s 2023 list of the world’s most valuable football clubs. It’s majority-owned by the Glazer Family and valued at around $6 billion (roughly £4.75 billion).
In November 2022, the American owners announced that they would be willing to listen to offers for the club, potentially signalling an end to their tumultuous 17 year reign. There was a long list of potential suitors including: English businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), Dubai, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Speculation and then confirmation that the Glazer family would put Manchester United up for sale saw shares shoot up like a rocket towards the end of 2022. The Man United stock price has been expectedly volatile since and got a recent boost due to near-confirmation of a Qatari takeover.
When it comes to investing, the share price of listed football clubs should in theory be driven by similar fundamentals to other companies – the outlook for future profits, as well as supply and demand.
But football is an emotional game and this sometimes bleeds off the pitch and into the share price performance. However, Nick Train, fund manager at Lindsell Train and Manchester United shareholder, says short term performance on the field is not a major concern as an investor.
The allure to us of live sports franchises is the loyal fan base that is more valued by advertisers than almost any other entertainment medium,” said Train. “Out of a universe of 12 quoted soccer clubs we own three unique franchises; Juventus, Manchester United and Celtic, which all could be readily described as national icons.
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Take a look at Manchester United’s share price performance over the last year on the graph below. It’s always important to remember that past performance is no indication of future results.
If you’d prefer to invest indirectly in Manchester United, you could invest in some of its sponsors or global partners. Football club sponsors provide funds directly to football clubs to buy new kit and equipment as well as travel to games.
Sam North, market analyst at eToro:
In a diversified portfolio for the long term I think there is room to have shares in Manchester United. The recent hysteria around the sale of the club, both shown on social media and the jump in its share price tells me that if things go to plan and the club gets the right owner then there is more room for upside in the coming years.
It is not without risk, especially if talks break down or the Glazers just seek investment rather than a sale of the club so for those who aren’t already invested I would be cautious about entering the market right now.
What investors will want to see is more clarity on who the new owner would be and what is their plan to make this club profitable going forward. Football is a massive business and Manchester United, along with Barcelona and Real Madrid are one of the biggest clubs in the world. If a sale goes through and the owners make the required changes then the share price, along with the club itself may return to its previous heights.
Our experts keep on top of the markets to bring you the latest on what’s shaking up stock prices.
17 October 2023: Shares in Manchester United saw a price drop after it was confirmed Sheikh Jassim has officially withdrawn his takeover bid.
The main risk of investing in Manchester United right now is a pontetial breakdown in the takeover talks and negotiations.
Additional capital is needed to fund an overdue redevelopment of Old Trafford as well as funds to bolster the squad if they’re to compete at the top of the Europe once more. So, it’s an expensive commitment for potential new owners.
There is a question as to how much more upside there would be in the short term. Long term, Manchester United could still be a good investment, but some investors may “buy the rumour, sell the news”. A lot of the positive news might already be priced in.
Explore the providers that offer Manchester United shares.
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Read the full methodologyAll investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.
Manchester United isn’t the only football team you can buy shares in – you can also buy shares in clubs such as Arsenal, Juventus and Celtic amongst others. See the table below for all the current football clubs that you can buy shares in.
| Club | Country | League | Link to invest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juventus | Italy | Serie A | Invest nowCapital at risk |
| AS Roma | Italy | Serie A | Invest nowCapital at risk |
| Rangers FC | Scotland | Scottish Premiership | Invest nowCapital at risk |
| Celtic | Scotland | Scottish Premiership | Invest nowCapital at risk |
| Borussia Dortmund | Germany | Bundesliga | Invest nowCapital at risk |
If you’re thinking of throwing some cash into Manchester United shares, remember that this isn’t just a game. You’re buying actual shares in a big-time company, and with that comes the risk of losing your money as well as the chance of making more. Still, being part-owner of a football club like Man U has a unique kind of allure. While it might not feel the same as celebrating a winning Champions League goal, give it some time and the rewards could be just as sweet.
On the other hand, Manchester United has a hefty £1.3bn debt as of March 2023. Despite an impressive 20% revenue bump to £583m for the year ending June 2022 (cheers, end of Covid restrictions!), the club’s been sinking into the red, with losses hitting £115.5m in 2022.
As for existing shareholders, if a takeover happens, what comes next depends on the agreement’s exact wording. If someone buys out the whole club, current shareholders might be bought out too. But if the takeover is staged, shareholders could hang onto their shares, though their value could wobble based on how the market feels about the deal.
Chelsea FC isn’t publicly listed, so you can’t invest directly in the club – however, there are ways that you can invest indirectly.
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Find out how to buy shares in Celtic FC with this simple guide.
Does the company pay dividends on a yearly basis?
Hi Pitts,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Upon checking, I can’t find the specific answer to your question. However, generally, companies like Manchester United pay on a yearly basis. You may want to directly get in touch with Manchester United to confirm.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
How do I gain from shares I buy?
Hi John,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
There are two ways to make money on stocks. The first is when Manchester United pays a portion of its profits to you as a shareholder in the form of dividends. Because stock prices always fluctuate, you never really know how much you’ve made until you sell.
Cheers,
Joel