Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus has revealed he is plotting to approach investors in a fresh attempt to buy Manchester United. He also insists he would be keen to collaborate with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other potential backers.
Zilliacus spearheaded one of numerous groups that lodged offers for the club in 2023 when the Glazer family declared they would consider either a complete or partial sale of United.
However, his supporter-driven proposal arrived too late in the process and Ratcliffe’s Ineos secured nearly 30 per cent whilst taking charge of football matters.
This week, speculation has emerged that the club might be sold with reports of a potential offer from the UAE. Saudi Arabia’s Turki Al-Sheikh suggested that a businessman is in “advanced talks” with United’s leadership.
Speaking exclusively to the MEN, Zilliacus has disclosed that he intends to contact prospective investors, including Ratcliffe, in an effort to acquire a stake in United or the entire club.
Zilliacus said: “Last week, I was sitting and thinking through all the possibilities of investing in Manchester United and drafting a basic plan on how I could approach certain parties to see if something could be done. This is about joining forces with the right parties with the sole aim of bringing Manchester United back to where it should be as the number one club in the world.
“I mean, my love for the club has gone nowhere and I think the opportunity is still there. So I would really welcome an opportunity to talk to the key players and see what can be done.
“The key players, of course, today, Ratcliffe, then if other parties would be keen to join as well, then that would be great. Some of the investors, I think it’s almost everything or nothing, meaning either they own the club alone or they are not interested. So you would have to find the investors who are willing to look at what is best for the club and not what is best for the investor.”
Zilliacus maintains that should he secure any influence over the club, he would incorporate a supporter-driven scheme, with his proposal representing a partnership rather than an outright acquisition. He suggests this approach is something the Glazer family presently refuses to consider.
“I think the Glazers, unfortunately, are a good example of somebody who is not really looking out for the club, but rather using it as a cash cow,” he added. “But in any case, they are not doing what should be done.
“I have a program that involves the fans who are overseas, who cannot come to watch a game. And my program can evolve in a way that can bring significant new revenues to the club.
“So with that money the club could do all the things it needs to do to be truly the best football club in the world, where all the best players, the best managers, everybody wants to be there.”
Zilliacus has expressed his willingness to collaborate with any investor, including former bidder, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim. He stated: “I actually have nothing against working with people like Jim Ratcliffe or any investor, whoever that may be. Because I’m not in this to have a trophy that I can show off to other people.
“I’m in this to make a club that I’ve been a fan of since I was 12 years old the best club in the world. My heart cries when I see how things are going today. Manchester United are so far below where the club should be and could be if things were managed the right way.
“When I had made my bid I realised that the Glazers were playing a game where Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim and myself were just trying to outbid each other. So the price was just going higher and higher and higher.
“I publicly said that this is madness, that this is money that should be used for the club and not to further enrich the Glazers. So I said, ‘Why don’t we join forces and take over the club together?
“I’m still completely open to that, and I would be more than happy to speak to Sheikh Jassim or to Jim Ratcliffe or any other investor about how we could work together.”