During a memorable week in which Manchester United’s seemingly unflappable owners were forced into writing a clumsy public apology – supporters began to feel that maybe the Glazers’ throne at Old Trafford may in fact be a little more wobbly than anticipated.
Indeed, a new candidate has already put himself in the frame to take over: MMA legend Conor McGregor.
After the vilified European Super League crumbled to dust on Tuesday evening, the Glazers – who have remained utterly unperturbed on their OT perch despite years of passionate criticism – actually looked a little vulnerable, with their wildly unpopular Exec Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward even announcing he would depart his post.
The shake-up has sparked excitable conversations among fans about the prospect of potential new buyers at Sir Matt Busby Way. Perhaps this would end the tenure of owners so loathed that their very presence in Manchester has led to countless protests and the formation of a new club in FC United of Manchester.
But before any real candidates could be seriously debated for a United takeover, MMA’s ultimate showman McGregor attempted to rattled a few cages by suggesting he would be keen to take the reins.
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Posting on Twitter, the former UFC champion wrote: “Hey guys, I’m thinking of buying Manchester United! What do you think?”
Hey guys, I’m thinking about buying Manchester United! What do you think?
🚨 JUST IN: Manchester United fans are protesting against the Glazers and have blocked both entrances to Carrington, United's training ground #mufc#mujournal
According to some reports, McGregor is currently valued at a net worth of around a half billion dollars – but that wouldn’t be enough to prise United from the Glazers’ grip.
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Forbes value Manchester United at £3.05bn – the fourth most valuable club in the world – meaning McGregor would need to cobble together a bit more loose change to turn himself into a proper contender, or launch a joint bid as part of a consortium.
Money aside, McGregor’s track record for embellishment means that most fans have refused to even entertain the notion of Notorious ownership at OT. But this isn’t the first time United have been subject to bizarre interest.
Shortly before the Glazers took full control at OT in 2005, Middle Eastern dictator Colonel Muammar “Mad Dog” Gaddafi was apparently just hours away from purchasing United – only for the deal to fall through after failing to agree on a price for the controlling stake.
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As of yet, McGregor’s bid hasn’t gone any further than a sweeping declaration on social media. And with no updates for a couple of days, many have already poured cold water on the idea.
But who knows.
In a wonderful world where Deadpool and Mac from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia can purchase a fifth-tier team in North Wales, there’s always chance that anything can happen…
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Sport
Premier League Darts is returning to Manchester’s AO Arena in 2027
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Premier League Darts is confirmed to be returning to Manchester next year.
Now’s your chance to see the youngest world champion in darts history, AKA Warrington’s very-own Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, show us how it’s done, as next year’s BetMGM Premier League Darts lineup has just been announced this week – with various dates confirmed across 17 different cities in the UK and Europe.
And Manchester is one of those cities, as the AO Arena has shared that they are set to host an evening next April, and we couldn’t be more excited about it.
This means that we will be lucky enough to witness the biggest names in world darts all under one roof, including headliners Gian van Veen and Luke Humphries, as well as Littler.
Manchester is the only northern city to get the pleasure of hosting the event next year, as Liverpool is also on the lineup, as is Leeds, Sheffield, and Newcastle, while elsewhere in the UK, the stars will travel to Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and several other major locations.
BetMGM Premier League Darts is to be held on Thursday 8 April at the AO Arena in Manchester, and to avoid being disappointed, fans are advised to register for presale ticket access.
Following a successful season of events in 2026, tickets are expected to be like gold-dust, so don’t say you haven’t been warned.
To access the first wave of tickets, fans must become an active PDCTV Annual Member before 23:59pm on Friday 9 October. Alternatively, general sale is on Thursday 22 October 2026, but make sure not to hang about.
Featured Image – Sandro Halank (via Wikimedia Commons)
Sport
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has claimed he wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It’s a ban that’s been in place in the top five tiers of men’s football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands – or ‘drinking in sight / view of the pitch’, as it’s known formally – is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don’t apply to fans of other sports.
“I don’t think it’s fair for football fans to be singled out in that way,” Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: “I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
“I’m not going to back away from what’s been a long-held view of mine. I don’t see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently.”
The Prime Minister’s comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the ‘unfair’ ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it ‘totally agrees’ the legislation is ‘outdated’ and ‘deserves to be reviewed’.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: “The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match – especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league.”
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be ‘incredibly rash’ to change the rules without proper consultation.
“Other sports simply don’t see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour,” it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that ‘there are different ways it could be done’, hinting that it could be done ‘on a trial basis’ perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be ‘receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch’.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
The Manc -
22nd April 2021 
