6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13A-16 OR 15D-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of November, 2022

Commission File Number: 001-35627

MANCHESTER UNITED PLC

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Old Trafford

Manchester M16 0RA

United Kingdom

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x    Form 40-F  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1). ¨    

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7). ¨    

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS FORM 6-K

See the Exhibit Index hereto. 

THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K IS HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE FOLLOWING REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF THE REGISTRANT:

REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-3 (NO. 333-259817) ORIGINALLY FILED WITH THE SEC ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2021, AS AMENDED.

Cautionary Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this report other than statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our pursuit of strategic alternatives. You should not place undue reliance on such statements because they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to the registrant's operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many are beyond the registrant's control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning certain expectations and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the registrant's possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of its business strategy. These statements often include words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “contemplate,” “possible” or similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this report are based on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect our businesses and operations. You should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the registrant believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. These factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-182535) and the registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-35627) as supplemented by the risk factors contained in the registrant's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	MANCHESTER UNITED PLC
Date: November 22, 2022	By:	/s/ Cliff Baty
		Cliff Baty
		Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release of Manchester United plc, dated November 22, 2022

EX-99.1

Exhibt 99.1 

 

Page 1 of 2

Press Release

22 November 2022

Manchester United announces process to explore strategic alternatives to enhance the club's growth

Manchester United plc (NYSE:MANU), one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces today that the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.

The process is designed to enhance the club's future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalize on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.

As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company. This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.

Executive Co-Chairmen and Directors, Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer said “The strength of Manchester United rests on the passion and loyalty of our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers.  As we seek to continue building on the Club’s history of success, the Board has authorized a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives. We will evaluate all options to ensure that we best serve our fans and that Manchester United maximizes the significant growth opportunities available to the Club today and in the future. Throughout this process we will remain fully focused on serving the best interests of our fans, shareholders, and various stakeholders.”

The Raine Group is acting as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP is legal counsel to the Company.

Rothschild and Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to the Glazer family shareholders.

 

Page 2 of 2

There can be no assurance that the review being undertaken will result in any transaction involving the Company.  Manchester United does not intend to make further announcements regarding the review unless and until the Board has approved a specific transaction or other course of action requiring a formal announcement.

ENDS

Press Enquiries:

Andrew Ward	+44 161 676 7770
Manchester United	Andrew.ward@manutd.co.uk

FOR ALL OTHER Enquiries PLEASE CONTACT:

Joe Ravitch and Colin Neville	UK: +44 203 695 8633 / US: +1 (212) 603-5584
The Raine Group	football@raine.com

About Manchester United

Manchester United is one of the most popular and successful sports teams in the world, playing one of the most popular spectator sports on Earth. Through our 144-year heritage we have won 66 trophies, enabling us to develop the world’s leading sports brand and a global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers. Our large, passionate community provides Manchester United with a worldwide platform to generate significant revenue from multiple sources, including sponsorship, merchandising, product licensing, new media & mobile, broadcasting and match day.