Abu Dhabi United Group

The Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment (ADUG) is a United Arab Emirates (UAE) private equity company owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He is a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family. He is also the Minister of Presidential Affairs for the UAE.^[1][2] It was first thought that Abu Dhabi United Group is a part of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund owned by Abu Dhabi. But Abu Dhabi United Group had denied connection to the government of Abu Dhabi.^[3]

The Group bought Manchester City Football Club. The deal was announced on 1 September 2008. It was made between the club’s former owner Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, and ADUG.^[4]

The American educated Sulaiman Al-Fahim was the public face of ADUG during the beginning of the takeover. He is often called the "Donald Trump of Abu Dhabi".^[5] The takeover was completed on 23 September 2008.^[6]

1. ↑ Randall, Colin (9 September 2008). "Mansour to replace Man City directors". TheNational.ae. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
2. ↑ "UAE Federal e-Government Portal - Ministry of Presidential Affairs". government.ae. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
3. ↑ Montague, James (1 September 2008). "Manchester City's new owners put national pride before profit". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
4. ↑ "Manchester City Takeover". ArabianBusiness.com. 2008-09-02. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
5. ↑ Austin, Simon (2 September 2008). "Arabian might at Eastlands". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
6. ↑ Austin, Simon (11 November 2008). "Hughes to hold City owner talks". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 2008-11-11.