Glazers bid $1.8 billion to buy club

Manchester United’s global footprint has never really been confined to football.

Over the years, the club’s commercial reach, brand power and ownership ambitions have stretched far beyond Old Trafford, with links to markets in Asia, the United States and the Middle East becoming increasingly central to how United operate off the pitch.

That global pull has been especially strong in Asia which was clearly evident during the Red Devils’ post-season tour in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

The club’s worldwide footprint also involves India with the official plans of Gary Neville visiting India made in the past.

United’s popularity in the region has long been reflected through tours, sponsorships and broadcast audiences – and it has frequently fuelled discussion about whether the club’s ownership could look to expand into other major sport markets.

Those conversations have intensified in recent seasons amid wider debate around the highly criticised Glazer family’s long-term strategy at Old Trafford, including their commercial priorities, asset management and wider sporting interests.

Now, that picture appears to be developing further.

According to The Week, Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has been shortlisted as part of a bid to acquire Indian Premier League cricket side Royal Challengers Bengaluru, ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

The report states that a $1.8 billion bid has been submitted and has progressed to the next stage of the ownership process, alongside four other shortlisted proposals.

The potential acquisition would cover both the men’s and women’s teams under the Royal Challengers Bengaluru umbrella, with the next phase expected to involve further discussions and revised offers.

At this stage, the bid is understood to be standalone, with no external partners involved.

RCB are one of the most recognisable franchises in the Indian Premier League, sharing notable similarities with Manchester United in terms of brand loyalty and global support.

Both clubs have built massive fanbases despite prolonged wait for major silverware, a parallel often highlighted by supporters in India and beyond.

While any move remains separate from Manchester United’s football operations, the development is likely to draw close scrutiny from fans already invested in how the Glazers balance their commitments across sport.

With United continuing to navigate a critical on-field rebuild, interest in the family’s wider ambitions shows no sign of slowing.