
UAE investment reshaped Manchester, but left inequality gap, analysis finds
Abu Dhabi-backed developments delivered thousands of homes, but critics say city becoming 'northern version of London'
A Guardian analysis reveals that UAE government and Emirati developers have acquired land equivalent to 260 football pitches in Manchester at its peak, transforming parts of the city centre but leaving a stark divide between luxury apartments and surrounding deprived neighbourhoods. The investments, anchored by Sheikh Mansour's ownership of Manchester City football club, included a £1bn deal to build 6,000 homes, but only a third have been delivered and none were affordable housing, sparking accusations of growing inequality.