Manchester United chief Ed Woodward reveals Glazer family's intentions amid takeover talk

Reports link United with Saudi royal family takeover

Ed Woodward believes the Glazer family are committed to Manchester United “for the long-term” despite persistent speculation surrounding the club’s ownership.

Reports of interest in United from the Saudi royal family have circulated for the past year, despite denials by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in February.

Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, claimed there have been no talks over the club’s future between the owners and potential investors.

“Based on what I see, they’re in it for the long-term,” United’s executive vice-chairman said, in an interview with fanzine United We Stand.

“With regards to offers or asking prices, my understanding is that there have been no discussions for a price for the club or anything like that. Every conversation we have is based on the long-term.”

The Glazer family’s takeover of United in 2005 was made possible by loans secured against the club. United’s debt remains at around £511m.

“The debt is a long-term, structured and similar to some other football clubs,” Woodward said. ”It’s a fixed amount for a fixed period of time which results in it being fairly cheap to service.

“It’s just under two per cent our annual revenue each year, so it doesn’t really have any impact on us.”

Woodward’s stewardship of the club has been criticised amid United’s worst start to a season in 30 years but accepts that a role of such profile brings scrutiny.

“I understand the scrutiny; it’s part of the job,” he said. “We have to do everything that we possibly can to get back to winning the Premier League.

“We are not successful until we do. Second is not success, we have to win the Premier League.”