American billionaire Leon Cooperman increases Man Utd stake as takeover stance emerges

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American businessman Leon Cooperman has upped his stake in Manchester United but is NOT planning a full takeover. The 82-year-old bought 900,000 shares in 2023, shortly before current owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his own partial takeover of the club.

Cooperman has now increased his minority ownership by purchasing a greater stake in the Premier League giants. According to The Independent , he now owns 5.2 per cent of United, having purchased another two million shares.

Cooperman’s stake in United is now valued at more than $50m (£36.9m), having purchased his increased stake from British investment firm Lindsell Train, while neither Ratcliffe nor the Glazers have sold any shares.

Cooperman, the founder of Omega Advisors, is not thought to be planning a formal takeover of United. His shares are reportedly in the Class A category, which carry one voting right per share.

Class B shares hold greater voting rights, with each share carrying ten votes. Class A shares are predominately held by both the Glazers and Ratcliffe.

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The INEOS owner sealed a deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in United in February 2024 but that increased to 27.7 per cent when he pumped a further £300m into the club which has been spent revamping the club’s infrastructure.

The club have recently unveiled plans for a glittering new stadium on the site of Old Trafford , while the Red Devils’ Carrington training ground is also being renovated. But Ratcliffe has also been met with criticism for sweeping redundancies and cost-cutting across the business over recent years.

Ratcliffe has also found himself in hot water recently having suggested that Britain was being ‘colonised by immigrants ’. He attempted to apologise for his words, with United releasing a statement.

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It read: " Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club. Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.

"Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.

"We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League's Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard."

United currently sit fourth in the Premier League , with Michael Carrick having had an excellent impact at Old Trafford since replacing Ruben Amorim .

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