Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has acknowledged that he personally benefited from the Glazer family’s takeover of the club in 2005, revealing the financial gain in his autobiography. The disclosure emerges as billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his acquisition of a 25% stake in the club, with the Glazers retaining majority control.
In his 2014 book ‘The Second Half’, Keane wrote: “From the players’ point of view, it didn’t bother us too much. 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 admission contrasts with many former players and fans who have criticised the American owners’ tenure.
Keane’s former teammate Gary Neville has been a persistent critic of the Glazers. Following the confirmation of Ratcliffe’s investment on Christmas Eve, Neville wrote on social media: “Manchester United 2023 has been a disgrace to the end. The timing of this is truly awful.” He expressed hope that Ratcliffe could restore the club to respectability on and off the pitch.
Ratcliffe, a self-described boyhood Manchester United fan, has pledged to take charge of football operations. His £1.3 billion investment, he said, brings “global knowledge, expertise and talent” from his INEOS Sport group. “We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead,” Ratcliffe stated, vowing to return the club to the top of English, European, and world football.
