'They're a selfish bunch': How Abu Dhabi shaped modern Manchester
'They're a selfish bunch': How Abu Dhabi shaped modern Manchester Submitted by Oscar Rickett on Thu, 10/15/2026 - 07:30 Manchester City's owners provided investment that fuelled 'Manchesterism' and helped propel Andy Burnham into Downing Street. But at what cost? At a foodbank ten minutes from one of the richest football clubs in the world, Niamh, a young woman in her 20s, has just lost her job.…
Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is the owner of Manchester City football club, a wealthy club located in the city of Manchester, United Kingdom. Manchester City's owners have been described by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who was mayor of Manchester at the time of the foodbank's opening in 2021, as a "huge partner in the building of modern Manchester".
However, the locals are struggling, with many unemployed and relying on foodbanks for basic needs. Feed My City, a foodbank located near Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, is struggling to stay afloat due to lack of funding and support from Manchester City's owners. The club's owners have not contributed to any foodbanks in the area, despite having previously contributed to others and having a foodbank initiative.
The relationship between Manchester City's owners and the local community is under scrutiny, with some locals accusing the club of being selfish and not caring about the area.
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