Manchester United’s owners were awaiting fresh bids on Thursday from a Qatari banker and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe after the deadline for revised offers had passed. Bidders were initially told they had until 21:00 GMT on Wednesday to submit new proposals, but the cut‑off has now been extended, with no new deadline announced. Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank, and Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals giant INEOS, are the only suitors who have publicly confirmed their interest.
A first round of bidding took place last month, and reports suggest there may be as many as eight potential investors for the club, which is owned by the American Glazer family—widely unpopular with United supporters. The BBC noted that several other prospective investors also submitted proposals by the Wednesday deadline. Although no figures have been disclosed, one or more of the initial bids were understood to be around £4.5 billion ($5.5 billion), which would make Manchester United the most expensive sports club ever, albeit still below the £6 billion valuation reportedly placed on the club by the Glazers. The owners announced in November that they were conducting a strategic review, with a sale being one option under consideration.
Sheikh Jassim is bidding for 100 percent control, aiming to restore the club to its “former glories”. A source close to his bid told AFP that he remains confident his offer is “the best for the club, fans and local community”. Meanwhile, INEOS founder Jim Ratcliffe—who grew up a United fan—wants to purchase the Glazers’ 69 percent shareholding. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, the 70‑year‑old said he would not pay “stupid prices” in a bidding war for one of football’s most iconic clubs. Ratcliffe, who already owns French club Nice, framed his interest as “purely in winning things”, describing United as a “community asset” rather than a financial investment.
The Glazers have angered many United fans by saddling the club with huge debts since taking over in 2005, and they appeared ready to cash out at a substantial profit when they invited external investment in November. However, they could still reject a sale of a controlling stake, as other parties are reportedly interested in acquiring a minority shareholding. Ratcliffe visited Old Trafford last week with INEOS representatives, a day after a delegation from Sheikh Jassim’s group toured the stadium and training ground.
A Qatari purchase would boost the Gulf state’s sporting profile months after it hosted the 2022 World Cup, but it would also be controversial. Sheikh Jassim is the son of a former Qatari prime minister, raising concerns about growing state influence in the Premier League. Manchester City’s fortunes were transformed after a 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, and in 2021 the Saudi sovereign wealth fund bought a controlling stake in Newcastle. Amnesty International has called on the Premier League to tighten ownership rules to prevent “sportswashing”.
If Sheikh Jassim’s bid succeeds, it would also prompt questions about whether Qatar is shifting its focus away from Paris Saint‑Germain, which has been owned by Qatari investors since 2011 and houses Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. United, three‑time European champions, have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013, but they are enjoying a renaissance under Erik ten Hag, ending a six‑year trophy drought by lifting the League Cup last month.
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