Finnish businessman Thomas Ziliakas has announced plans to approach investors in a new bid to buy Manchester United. He also claims he wants to work with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other potential backers.
Ziliakas was at the forefront of a number of groups making offers for the club in 2023, when the Glazer family declared they would consider a full or partial sale of United.
But the supporter-led proposal came too late in the process, with Mr Ratcliffe’s Ineos securing nearly 30 per cent while in charge of football matters.
This week there was speculation that the club could be sold, with reports of a possible offer from the UAE. Saudi Arabia’s Turki al-Sheikh suggested the businessman was in “high-level negotiations” with United leaders.
Speaking exclusively to MEN, Ziliakas revealed that he intends to contact potential investors, including Ratcliffe, to acquire a stake in United and the club as a whole.
Ziliakas said: “Last week I sat down and thought about all the possibilities for investing in Manchester United and drafted a master plan on how I could approach certain parties to see if something could be done. This is about working with the right parties with the sole aim of getting Manchester United back to where it belongs as the number one club in the world.”
“So my love for the club is not going anywhere and I think there are still opportunities. So any chance to talk to the key players and see what we can do would be very welcome.”
“It would be great if today’s key players, Ratcliffe of course, and other parties wanted to come on board as well. I think with some investors it’s almost all-or-nothing. So either they own the club alone or they’re not interested. So we’ll have to find investors who are willing to look at what’s best for the club, not what’s best for the investor.”
Ziliakas insists he would incorporate a supporter-led plan if he could secure influence over the club, with his proposal implying a partnership rather than a full takeover. He suggests that this approach is one that the Glazer family currently refuses to consider.
“Unfortunately, I think this is a great example of the Glazers not having a real interest in the club and instead using the club as a cash cow,” he added. “But either way, they’re not doing what they’re supposed to do.
“I have a program to engage overseas fans who are unable to come to games, and my program can evolve in a way that can bring significant new revenue to the club.”
“With that money, the club will be able to do everything it needs to do to become the best football club in the world, the best players, the best manager and the best football club in the world that everyone wants to be there.”
Ziliakas said he is willing to work with any investors, including former bidder Sheikh Jassim, a Qatari banker. He said: “I actually have no objection to working with people, whether it’s Jim Ratcliffe or investors or whoever it is, because I’m not in this business to get a trophy to show off to other people.”
“I’m working on this to make the club I’ve been a fan of since I was 12 the best club in the world. Looking at today’s situation, my heart wants to scream. “Manchester United is far below what a club should be and what it could be if things were run right.
“When I made my bid, I realized that the Glazers were playing a game with Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim, and myself just trying to outbid each other, so the price just kept getting higher and higher.
“I said publicly that this is madness and that this is money that should be spent on the club, not making the Glazer family even richer. So I said, ‘Why don’t we join forces and take over the club together?’
“I’m still completely open to that and would be happy to talk to Sheikh Jassim, Jim Ratcliffe and other investors about how we can work together.”
