The long-awaited takeover of Manchester United has finally arrived with two major bids on the table. On Friday, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe submitted rival bids, hoping to take control of the Red Devils.
The Qatari Sheikh Jassim has offered a “substantial” bid to buy the club from the Glazer family. Sheikh Jassim has grown up as a Manchester United fan and is determined to restore the club to its former glory by investing in youth and infrastructure.
He is the son of Qatar’s former Prime Minister and is the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, also makes an offer for Manchester United.
Ratcliffe was among the bidders for Chelsea when their ownership was available last year and already owns cycling team INEOS Grenadiers, Ligue 1 side Nice, and a third of the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
The final figure paid by Sheikh Jassim or Ratcliffe is determined after they have been given access and taken a detailed look at the company accounts. It is thought that Sheikh Jassim is willing to break the world-record fee of £3.75bn for a sports club to buy Manchester United.
The bids come after a period of uncertainty over the club’s future. The Glazer family has been looking to sell the club for some time, with potential bidders such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund also making offers. The takeover will likely bring significant investment to the club, both on and off the pitch.
Sheikh Jassim has promised to reinvest all profits into the community through the Nine Two Foundation. He has also vowed to invest in the men’s and women’s teams and the redevelopment of the stadium, training ground, and the area around Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe is thought to be keen to develop the club’s commercial operations, improving the team’s performance on the pitch and increasing the club’s global presence. The takeover will also likely bring significant changes to how the club is run.
Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe will appoint their board of directors and executives, and it remains to be seen how the current management team will be affected.
The takeover will be a welcome relief for Manchester United fans. After years of underperformance on the pitch, the club’s new owners will be expected to bring much-needed investment and help it regain its stature as one of the world’s biggest football clubs.