Tiger Woods told stunning Man Utd takeover would be 'brilliant' for Premier League

Premier League icon Brad Friedel has tipped Tiger Woods to be a roaring success if he were to invest in a club like Manchester United. However, he'd preferably like to see the golf great end up at another English giant instead.

The modern age has given way to a number of high-profile athletes and celebrities getting involved in the ownership of British clubs. NFL legends Tom Brady and JJ Watt have succeeded since buying stakes in Birmingham City and Burnley, respectively, while Wrexham have soared up the ranks under the reign of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

This transformation in the ownership landscape sparked comments from former Premier League star Matt Jansen, who tipped a figure like Woods to be a success if he made a similar investment. And former Liverpool goalkeeper Friedel, who is also a self-confessed fan of the club, agreed it would be a coup for any top club to attract such a name.

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"I saw Matt Jansen say he'd like Tiger Woods to take over Man United," the American told Mr-gamble.com. "I would prefer he does not go to Old Trafford. But it would be brilliant for the Premier League if he did. Go to Liverpool instead, Tiger!"

Despite the initial excitement surrounding Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority takeover of United, fortunes on the pitch are yet to have been transformed under the British billionaire's regime. In fact, the Red Devils have registered their two lowest Premier League finishes since he started running the club's affairs in early 2024.

It was back in August of this year that three-time Blackburn Player of the Season Jansen, who was once targeted by United, spoke glowingly of the new investment model in British football. And he brought up names like Woods and NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan as two examples of generational stars who could make an impact with the elite.

"I think Tom Brady is a good one," he recently told BettingLounge.co.uk. "Maybe Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, people who’ve been at the top of their sport, the No. 1 in their sport, will always be impressive and can relate a little bit more to football than the music industry.

"It could be any club, couldn’t it? But the likes of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods would probably be looking at Liverpool, Chelsea or Man United, those kinds of clubs. They’re that big a star. So is Tom Brady, but Birmingham are really putting their money where their mouth is. I think they'll be a force this season.

"They could target clubs in the EFL. Look at what Wrexham started and they've been a success. It'll be other people putting it to the likes of Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, rather than them approaching clubs."

Jansen went on to note the discontent currently surrounding Ratcliffe's running of the Red Devils. And while Woods may not be a learned mind in the world of football, he believes the 15-time major champion's "aura could bring success."

Woods' move to Old Trafford could be a match made in heaven, though Jansen also teased the idea of him staging a takeover at Lancashire rivals Blackburn. As Jansen noted, Rovers are "in a bit of a mess" with incumbent owners Venky's and could welcome the financial influence of a sporting magnate.

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