A consortium of investors based in the United Arab Emirates has approached Eric Cantona to act as an ambassador for a potential bid to buy Manchester United. Wayne Rooney and David Beckham are also being considered for similar roles by the group.
The consortium is still assembling the necessary finance before it can approach the Glazer family, who collectively own a majority stake in the club. The UAE-based group is keen to have prominent former United players as ambassadors during the process.
Cantona, who played for United from 1992 to 1997, scoring 82 goals in 185 appearances, is regarded as one of the club's finest players. Rooney, United's record goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances between 2004 and 2017, and former captain, is also of interest. Beckham, who came through the youth system and was part of the 1999 treble-winning team, is the third former star on the group's wishlist.
The Glazers announced in November 2022 that part or all of the club was potentially for sale. This attracted interest from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process 11 months later after the Glazers valued United at over £6bn. In February 2024, Ratcliffe became the club's largest minority shareholder after purchasing 27.7% of United, a stake he has since increased to 28.94%.
