Elon Musk, the Tesla billionaire, briefly energized the discussion about Manchester United’s future by declaring on Twitter that he is buying the troubled Premier League team – before stating that the tweet was part of a “long-running joke.”
He didn’t say much about new coach Eric ten Hag’s controversial insistence on passing out from the back, or whether dissatisfied star striker Cristiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave, but he did add that if he had to buy a sports team, “it would be Manchester United.” As a kid, they were my favorite team.”
With the team rooted to the bottom of the table following a humiliating 4-0 away defeat to Brentford, the outspoken entrepreneur’s tweet offered optimism – though temporarily – to fans who want to see the back of current owners, the Florida-based Glazer family.
Also, I’m buying Manchester United ur welcome
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2022
Musk is known for his irreverent tweets, and he later explained the message by stating that he was not purchasing sports clubs.
No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter. I’m not buying any sports teams.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2022
Buying United, one of the world’s most valuable football clubs, would have cost Musk at least £2 billion, based on the club’s current stock market price.
Manchester United’s recent on-field struggles have fueled fan protests against the Glazers, who purchased the club in a severely leveraged deal for £790 million ($955.51 million) in 2005.
Last year, the anti-Glazer movement gathered traction after United was part in an unsuccessful attempt to launch a breakaway European Super League.
A takeover by Musk, on the other hand, would have been out of the frying pan and into the fire for the club, given the billionaire’s penchant for off-the-cuff remarks and running afoul of market authorities.
Many pointed out that Musk had previously promised to buy Twitter for $44 billion before the deal fell through in July, and had also talked of populating Mars and increasing birth rates on Earth.
Given the club’s history of finishing towards the top of the league rather than near the bottom, fans were perplexed and optimistic.
Read More Here : Elon Musk Sells Tesla Stock for almost $7 Billion.
If @elonmusk really is buying @ManUtd he will get 1.1bn followers for $2bn. That beats buying Twitter in terms of $ for global reach.https://t.co/7JbdWd5ECM
— Raoul Pal (@RaoulGMI) August 17, 2022
I for one welcome our new Tesla overlords. pic.twitter.com/5ojiCF2V4S
— Odds On FPL #MUFC (@OddsOnFPL) August 17, 2022
Given the club’s history of finishing towards the top of the league rather than near the bottom, fans were perplexed and optimistic.
