Manchester United have received an official bid from Qatar to buy 100% of the football club.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of one of Qatar’s biggest banks – QIB, has confirmed that he has placed a bid to purchase Manchester United from the Glazers.
An official statement read: “Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club.
“The bid plans to return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.
“The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the club supports.
“The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
“More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.”
Time for the Glazers to exit Manchester United
The Premier League giants were put up for sale by the Glazer family last year.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is the son of former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.
He runs one of Qatar’s biggest banks which makes him a leading contender to be the new owner of the Red Devils.
The most crucial thing for United supporters will be that the bid is to completely purchase the club which would signal the departure of the current American owners.
The relationship between the Glazers and the supporters has never been great. The past few years have seen fans protest in huge numbers, demanding the Glazers sell the club.
The part of the official statement saying the ‘Nine Two Foundation’ of Sheikh Jassim will make this debt-free bid is particularly intriguing.
This foundation is not known widely, and the name largely resembles United’s famous ‘class of 92’.
It could be possible that the Qatar state might be using Sheikh Jassim’s face to get hold of the Red Devils.
The soft deadline to place an official bid is 10.00 pm on Friday.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has previously confirmed his interest in purchasing United and a bid from his side is expected.
