Cooperman’s Stake in Manchester United: Insights and Recent Controversies

omidbasir- Leon Cooperman, founder of the US-based hedge fund Omega Advisors, made headlines in late 2023 when he acquired approximately one million shares in Manchester United, coinciding with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment that solidified his status as a co-owner. Recent reports from The Independent indicate that Cooperman now holds 5.2% of United’s Class A shares, valued at over $50 million (£36.7m/€42m).

Despite his significant financial backing, it appears that Cooperman does not intend to pursue a majority stake in the club, even with a personal fortune exceeding $3.6 billion (£2.67bn). Notably, Class A shares lack the voting power of Class B shares, which offer 10 votes per share compared to just one for Class A.

The Glazer family continues to maintain a controlling stake, holding approximately 67% of the voting shares, while Ratcliffe owns about 28%. The Glazers oversee the corporate and commercial operations, whereas Ratcliffe and INEOS manage the footballing aspect of the club.

Recent months have been tumultuous for Manchester United, with many fans expressing dissatisfaction towards the Glazers, leading to protests as recently as early February. The 1958 Group organized a demonstration prior to the match against Fulham, declaring the club had become a “laughing stock” and labeling Ratcliffe as “complicit” in its decline.

Adding to the controversy, Ratcliffe has recently faced criticism for comments made during an interview with Sky News, where he claimed that the UK had been “colonised by immigrants” and presented inaccurate population statistics. He stated, “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it? The population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”

Following backlash, Ratcliffe issued an apology, acknowledging that his language may have offended some, but he reiterated his assertions in the same statement. Prominent figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, alongside the anti-racism organization Kick It Out, called for Ratcliffe to issue a formal apology. Starmer emphasized, “Britain is a proud, tolerant, and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”

While these controversies have posed significant public relations challenges for Manchester United, the team’s performance on the pitch has improved under the leadership of manager Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim for the remainder of the season. The squad has secured four victories and a draw in their last five Premier League matches, propelling them to fourth place and enhancing their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Looking ahead, United faces a challenging matchup against Everton, who currently occupy eighth place, followed by fixtures against Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth before the international break in March.