Paul Scholes Backs Beckham to Buy Manchester United

Paul Scholes has publicly backed David Beckham to lead a takeover of Manchester United, calling for an end to the Glazer family's ownership and the INEOS era under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes said he would support a Beckham-led consortium if the financial backing is there.

"I don't see why not," Scholes said.

"If they've got the wealth to do it, he can if he wants to do it, more importantly."

The former United midfielder added that Beckham would likely take a hands-off role.

"Then, knowing David as we do, he'd probably just sit in the background anyway."

Scholes also criticized the current ownership structure.

He described the Glazer-Ratcliffe era as one that "hasn't worked."

Beckham has already expressed interest in owning the club.

In a May 2025 interview with Time magazine, he said: "I'd love to say that I own Manchester United one day."

He conceded, however, that the club's valuation is "slightly out of my price range."

The Glazer family still holds roughly 72% of Manchester United shares.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS owns about 27.7% and runs football operations, according to reporting from The Peoples Person citing ESPN sources.

A drag-along clause allows the Glazers to force Ratcliffe to sell his stake as part of any third-party takeover.

Ratcliffe is guaranteed at least $33 per share if a sale closes before February 2027.

After that date, the protection falls away.

Co-host Nicky Butt tempered the idea with arithmetic.

He estimated the Glazers' asking price at around £8 billion.

He also flagged the income United would lose without Champions League football.

Beckham has been linked over the past year to a UAE-backed consortium.

He was reportedly approached about becoming an ambassador for a proposed £5 billion takeover.

No formal bid was ever tabled.

Beckham has never announced a bid, and no consortium has been publicly confirmed with him at the head.

What he has consistently said is that he would welcome a role if one were offered.

In a 2023 interview reported by Sky Sports, he said: "Any involvement with Manchester United would mean the world to me."

His focus at the time was on Inter Miami and his business ventures.

He argued that change at the top was needed because the fans wanted it.

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has also backed the idea.

"Could David Beckham replace the Glazers and INEOS at Manchester United? Why not?"

Cisse said to Mr Gamble.

"He's doing a good job at Inter Miami. He has an aura, he has a name, he's David Beckham, and he carries real weight in world football. So yes, why not?"

Beckham has enjoyed considerable success as co-owner of MLS side Inter Miami.

He helped establish the club in 2018.

Since then, the club has moved into a state-of-the-art stadium.

It has attracted some of the biggest names in world football, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and former United midfielder Casemiro.

Beckham remains a hugely popular figure among United supporters.

The 51-year-old has previously refused to rule out a return to his boyhood club.

"I have a lot going on here at the moment and my focus has purely been on Miami and everything that goes on in my business," he said in 2023.