British entrepreneur and successful podcaster, Steven Bartlett, says he dreams of one day being able to buy Manchester United.
The Dragon’s Den star has made the admission ahead of getting the chance to play at Old Trafford in Soccer Aid in June. After making his debut in the charity match last year, Bartlett has been included in the World XI squad for this year’s event.
Although Bartlett won’t be involved in the bidding process to buy United this time around, with the Glazers actively trying to get the best deal for the club, he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of being able to at some point in the future.
“It’s the best news ever that it’s back in Manchester this year and it’s an absolute dream come true to be playing at Old Trafford,” Bartlett told the Manchester Evening News. “Half my family were born in Manchester so I’ve been a United fan since I was a baby.
“When you’re playing in the garden growing up you dream of kicking a ball on that pitch so for me to be playing at Old Trafford is something that I never really never believed could possibly come true. I am a huge Manchester United fan and I always will be, I go to all the away days.
“Maybe one day I’ll be able to buy the club.”
Those involved in the bidding process this time around include Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The Raine Group are advising the Glazer family on the takeover, but it still remains to be seen if they will sell the club before the end of the current season.
When it comes to featuring in Soccer Aid for the second year in a row, Bartlett added: “I couldn’t be more excited. It’s an honour and a privilege and I couldn’t think of any reason not to sign up again.
“For starters a record-breaking £15million was donated to UNICEF last year, and having been exposed to the impact that money has on lives all around the world is reason enough. But then from a more personal reason, it’s just a huge amount of fun from start to finish.”
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