The Glazer family purchased Manchester United 20 years ago, and despite the controversy since, club icon Roy Keane once revealed how the famous sale earned him a hefty sum
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane once admitted that he financially benefited from the Glazer family’s takeover of the club. The American ownership has been a contentious issue among fans since they acquired the club 20 years ago.
Writing in his 2014 autobiography, The Second Half, Keane revealed his smart idea to pocket shares in United as part of his contract, meaning he saw a small fortune head his way thanks to the family’s acquisition of the Red Devils.
“From the players’ point of view, it didn’t bother us too much,” Keane, 53, wrote. “I had a few shares in the club as part of my contract. So the Glazers coming in was worth a few bob to me”.
The Glazers are now approaching two decades at the helm of United, having acquired the club from Irish shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus for £790million on May 12, 2005. Initially holding a 57 per cent stake, they increased it to 75 per cent just days later.
Despite the team’s early successes under their ownership, including five Premier League titles, the 2008 Champions League, two FA Cups, six League Cups, the Europa League, and the FIFA World Club Cup, fans have expressed concerns about the Glazers draining the club’s resources.
Their tenure has been marred by fan protests and widespread dissatisfaction with their management of the club. And the situation reached a head in 2022.
Their reign at the helm of United seemed on the brink in November of that year when they announced the club was up for sale. Keane hailed the move as “good news” at the time, criticising the family for prioritising business over their rapport with the supporters.
However, the plot took a twist when Sir Jim Ratcliffe instead acquired a minority 25 per cent share, leaving the Americans in post but with Ratcliffe and his INEOS team taking control of football operations. However, United’s financial woes have persisted, with debts mounting and job cuts becoming a regularity under Ratcliffe’s time in charge.
While Keane may have profited from the initial sale, he has since been vocal about his disapproval of United’s current management. In October 2024, he lamented the transformation of the club on the Stick to Football podcast.
“United was always about good people and good characters, but I don’t see that now. I don’t recognise this team, I don’t recognise the club,” he said.
“They’re chopping and changing and getting rid of everyone in the background which is fine, there’s a business side to it, we know that. But when we’re discussing Man United, it’s more like a business than a football club”.
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