Apple are ‘interested in buying Manchester United in £5.8BILLION deal’

US tech giant Apple has joined the race to buy Manchester United according to reports.

United confirmed the sensational news that the world’s biggest football club is effectively for sale in a statement issued earlier this week.

With United now available, a report from the Daily Star has claimed that the world’s largest tech company may be interested in acquiring the club for £5.8billion.

The California-based tech firm has never previously owned a sports team, but the commercial opportunities provided by United are said to be a major factor in their interest.

Any potential deal would instantly become the most costly acquisition of a football club in history, surpassing the £4.25billion fee a consortium led by Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea earlier this year.

CEO Cook is just the latest in a line of high-profile individuals who have shown an interest in taking charge at Old Trafford.

Now-Twitter CEO Elon Musk jokingly wrote on the platform this summer that he would be purchasing the club, with the 51-year-old’s tweet garnering more than 800,000 likes.

UFC superstar Conor McGregor has also thrown his hat into the ring, having previously expressed an interest in taking over the club.

The 34-year-old took to Twitter following the announcement of the European Super League in April 2021, writing: ‘Hey guys, I’m thinking about buying Manchester United! What do you think?’

The Irishman added that he would like to acquire a sports team ‘at some stage’.

‘A conversation came up regarding Celtic first to be honest. To acquire shares from Dermot Desmond. I am certainly interested in acquiring a sports team at some stage! Both Celtic and Man United are teams I like for sure. But I am open. I feel I could do big things for a club.” 

Joel and Avram Glazer have been largely unpopular among fans since taking charge of the club in 2005.

Backlash over the American investment bankers’ takeover of United was such that some supporters formed the breakaway club FC United of Manchester, in protest.

A club statement from Tuesday outlined their intentions to sell: 

‘Manchester United plc (NYSE:MANU), one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors (the ‘Board’) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.

‘The process is designed to enhance the club’s future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.

‘As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company. 

‘This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.’