American businessman Leon Cooperman has increased his stake in Manchester United but is not planning a full takeover. The 82-year-old acquired 900,000 shares in 2023, shortly before current co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his own partial takeover of the club.

Cooperman has now expanded his minority ownership by purchasing a larger stake in the Premier League giants. According to The Independent, he now controls 5.2 per cent of United, having acquired another two million shares. Cooperman’s stake in United is now worth more than £36.9million, having purchased his increased stake from British investment firm Lindsell Train, whilst neither Ratcliffe nor the Glazers have sold any shares.

Cooperman, the founder of Omega Advisors, is not believed to be planning a formal takeover of United. His shares are reportedly in the Class A category, which carry one voting right per share.

Class B shares hold greater voting rights, with each share carrying ten votes. Class A shares are predominantly held by both the Glazers and Ratcliffe.

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The INEOS owner sealed a deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in United in February 2024 but that rose to 27.7 per cent when he injected a further £300m into the club which has been spent revamping the club’s infrastructure.

The club has recently revealed ambitious proposals for a spectacular new stadium on the Old Trafford site, whilst the Red Devils’ Carrington training complex is also undergoing refurbishment.

However, Ratcliffe has faced backlash for implementing widespread redundancies and budget reductions throughout the organisation in recent years.

Ratcliffe has also landed himself in controversy lately after suggesting that Britain was being ‘colonised by immigrants’. He issued an apology for his remarks, with United also releasing a statement.

It read: “Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club. Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.

“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.

“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”

United currently sit in fourth position in the Premier League, with Michael Carrick having made a tremendous impact at Old Trafford since taking over from Ruben Amorim.