Why MANU Shares Are Rising In After-Hours Trade Today

• Some Glazer family members are reportedly considering a partial or full exit after more than 20 years of ownership.
• Old Trafford redevelopment costs and recent Champions League qualification are both influencing internal deliberations.
• No final decision has been made, with internal disagreement reportedly persisting.

Shares of Manchester United Plc (MANU) gained in after-hours trading on Wednesday after reports emerged that some members of the Glazer family are considering a potential sale of their stake in the football club.

At the time of writing, MANU stock was up nearly 7.5% in after-hours trading, after ending the regular session down 2.63%. 

Internal Discussions Over Partial Or Full Exit

Many members of the US-based Glazer family have been discussing whether to sell their holdings in Manchester United FC after more than 20 years of ownership, reported Bloomberg.

The discussions reportedly include the possibility of selling part or all of their stake, with some members initially exploring individual exits before trying to bring others on board.

The deliberations come as the club faces a potential multibillion-pound bill tied to the redevelopment of Old Trafford. At the same time, Manchester United’s return to the UEFA Champions League adds a fresh revenue boost, creating competing incentives around whether to sell or stay invested. 

No Final Decision Yet

The Glazer family has reportedly not reached a final decision, and internal disagreement remains over any potential exit, with some members still opposed to a sale.

Any potential deal could attract interest from Middle Eastern investors as well as wealthy US-based buyers, according to the report. 

Ownership History

Avram and Joel Glazer serve as executive co-chairmen of the club, while siblings Kevin Glazer, Bryan Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, and Edward Glazer serve as directors on the board.

The Glazers’ current discussions come just over two years after selling a roughly 29% stake in the club to Jim Ratcliffe. Any sale would mark the end of one of the longest ownership periods in top-flight English football, as well as one of the most controversial, with longstanding fan opposition dating back to the leveraged buyout in 2005 by the late Malcolm Glazer. 

Post-Ferguson Struggles Continue

While early success under Sir Alex Ferguson helped ease tensions, performance issues grew after his retirement in 2013, with frequent managerial changes and limited silverware since then.

Despite Ratcliffe’s involvement, the club continued to struggle and even failed to qualify for European competition in 2025 for the first time in over a decade, before later securing Champions League qualification, which also boosted potential valuation prospects.

MANU Stock: What Stocktwits Retail Sentiment Says

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around MANU was ‘neutral,’ while message volume was ‘high.’

MANU shares have gained over 48% in the past 12 months. 

For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.