Man Utd takeover: Eric Cantona could lead UAE bid after Ratcliffe criticism

Tom Weber

• Updated: 18 Oct 2025 17:12 BST
• 4 min read

News

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has been approached to become an ambassador for an Emirati takeover bid of the Old Trafford club.

A UAE-based firm, International Holding Company (IHC), is involved in efforts to form a consortium that is planning to spearhead a takeover bid for Man Utd.

It has been reported that the club's divisive majority owners, the Glazers, are ready to listen to offers after previously selling a minority stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS business.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS allies have been given sole charge of sporting operations at Old Trafford, but the British billionaire's involvement with his boyhood club could come under threat if the Glazers were to sell.

Claims from Saudi government official Turki Al-Sheikh that takeover talks are already advanced are being downplayed, however. Due to UK takeover law, formal expressions of interest and potential bids would have to be made public knowledge, and this has yet to happen.

Cantona to lead Man Utd takeover?

Things are stirring in the UAE, though, and Ben Jacobs reports that IHC has been approaching club legends to act as ambassadors for the takeover bid. The journalist states that talks have already been held with Eric Cantona, who has been very critical of Ratcliffe.

"We don't know whether anything will materialise, but some ex-Manchester United legends have also been sounded out. Not to invest but just to be ambassadors," Jacobs told The United Stand. "Eric Cantona is one of the names that has been approached."

"But I would just stress one thing really clearly, it is nowhere near as advanced as Turki Al-Sheikh implied, nor have the Glazers had any kind of direct contact yet. There's no guarantee this even develops into anything."

Cantona, who is a co-owner of FC United of Manchester, which was formed in protest against the Glazers' takeover in 2005, slammed Ratcliffe earlier this year.

"Since Ratcliffe arrived, this team of directors try to destroy everything, and they don't respect anybody," he thundered in response to the billionaire's mass layoffs as a cost-cutting measure and plans to leave Old Trafford.

"I feel sad to see United in this kind of situation. They decided something else. They have another strategy, another project. I support United because I really love United, but now if I was a fan and I had to choose a club, I don't think I would choose United."

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