Man Utd takeover: Ed Woodward to pocket £14m for Sheikh Jassim sale

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 28 Apr 2023 16:03 BST
• 3 min read

Ed Woodward is one interested party hoping for a full Manchester United buy-out with the former executive vice-chairman in line to earn more than £14 million.

United's takeover has dragged on for large sections of the Red Devils support who want to see the Glazer family gone.

Man Utd haven't won a Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in 2013, Old Trafford has fallen into a state of disrepair, and there is a general feeling that fresh ideas, if not finances, are needed.

READ: Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim bid gets exciting green light

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been the frontrunners for a full takeover, the Qatari royal and INEOS owner respectively having lodged bids closest to the Glazers' £6 billion valuation.

But some among the Glazer family have thought a minority investment would be preferable, with US investment giant The Carlyle Group recently entering to race on those terms.

But if a Jassim's full takeover at £5 billion is to go ahead - as is now being reported - Woodward would find himself a very wealthy man indeed.

READ: 'We'll see you in June' - Man Utd fans sing Kane's name against Spurs

The numbers for Woodward

"Ed Woodward would benefit from a full MUFC takeover," Tweeted the Athletic's Manchester United journalist Laurie Whitwell. "He has 551,486 shares, which equate to £8.8m at today's market price of $20.

"Should Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bid be successful at £5 billion, that means a price of $32.5/share. Woodward's windfall: £14.3m."

Woodward spent a decade as United's de facto CEO between 2012 and 2020 before being replaced by Richard Arnold last year.

He is credited with improving the club's commercial standing during his time in charge, but disappointing transfer activity, the aforementioned silverware drought, and his support for the failed European Super League tarnished his legacy.

United are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer regardless of who is in ownership of the club, with Harry Kane Erik ten Hag's top transfer target to play No.9 at Old Trafford next term.