Manchester United, one of England’s biggest football clubs, may fall into Qatari hands. A consortium led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has announced that it has made a bid to take over the club, where Erik ten Hag is the trainer, for 100 percent. Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe of the British chemical group Ineos has also confirmed an offer.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani
“Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani confirms that he has made a bid for Manchester United Football Club,” a statement read. Details are not given further. According to reports in the English media, this would be an amount of 6 billion euros. Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is the chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB).
Dutch connection
At Manchester United, the Dutch Wout Weghorst, Donny van de Beek and Tyrell Malacia, among others, play. The club is currently third in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s team played a draw at FC Barcelona (2-2) in the Europa League on Thursday. “This bid aims to return the club to its heyday, both on and off the field,” said a statement from the sheikh. It is a no-debt offer with the intention of investing in the teams, training complex, stadium, infrastructure, supporter experience and communities the club supports.”
‘The Manchester back in Manchester United’
The British chemical group Ineos has also made an offer for Manchester United. Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who also owns cycling team Ineos Grenadiers with the company, says he wants to defend the interests of the club for a longer period. The businessman seems to want to compete with the billions from Qatar by capitalizing on United’s cultural value.
Ineos statement
“The ownership of football clubs in England is at a split,” said an Ineos statement. “We want to define the content of the next chapter by re-emphasizing the culture of English football. We want to make the club an example for modern and fan-oriented policy. Manchester United must become Manchester again and focus on winning the Champions League.”
Glazer family
The American Glazer family has owned Manchester United since May 2005. In November last year, the family announced that it was considering a sale. Most Premier League clubs are foreign-owned. That does not apply to Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.