Manchester United

Sheikh Jassim 'still confident of winning Manchester United takeover race'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 14 October 2023

Sheikh Jassim 'still confident of winning Man United takeover race'

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani reportedly still believes that he is in a strong position to win the race to complete a takeover of Manchester United despite recent reports.

The Qatari banker's latest £5bn offer for the 20-time English champions allegedly remains on the table, as he bids to complete a 100% takeover of the club.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is Sheikh Jassim's main competition in terms of a purchase of the club, and it has been claimed that the British businessman is now leading the race to complete a takeover.

Initially, Ratcliffe had allegedly been looking for a controlling stake in the club before completing a full takeover within three years.

However, the owner and founder of the INEOS Group is now believed to be willing to purchase a minority stake, potentially bidding £1.5bn for 25% of the club.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is pictured at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, March 17, 2023 © Reuters

Bloomberg claims that Ratcliffe is now at the head of the queue, with the Glazer family currently leaning away from a full sale at this moment in time.

However, according to The Mirror, Sheikh Jassim's camp are confident that 'nothing has changed' when it comes to the race to complete a takeover.

The report claims that the Qataris believe that they are still in a strong position despite the process stalling over the last few months.

Almost a year has passed since the Glazers demonstrated a willingness to sell the 20-time English champions, and it had initially been thought that a sale would occur by April.

Manchester United fans display banners in protest against the Glazer family's ownership of the club on August 26, 2023 © Reuters

The proposed date soon passed, with a takeover then thought to be likely before the opening of the summer transfer window, but the Glazer family remain in charge heading towards the end of 2023.

There have been suggestions that the American owners value the club in the region of £6bn.

An asking price of £10bn has also been mentioned, with the Glazers pointing to the money that is coming into football from Saudi Arabia, but that fee is highly unrealistic, even in the current market.

Man United have found it difficult to get going in the early stages of the 2023-24 campaign, but they managed to record a 2-1 victory over Brentford before the international break.

The Red Devils will be bidding to make it successive wins in the Premier League when they travel to Sheffield United next weekend.