Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani has already outlined his vision for Manchester United amid reports that the Glazers have the opportunity to sell the club in full later this year.
According to Bloomberg, a deal was struck between Ineos and the Glazers last year that would allow the American family to sell their entire stake in United later this year. This would open the door for a majority or full takeover of the football club with the caveat being that Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have first dibs on the remaining Glazers shares.
Ratcliffe has previously stated that he would be interested in a full takeover of the club but whether that would be welcomed by United supporters remains to be seen. It seems likely that, if the Glazers were to announce their intent to sell the remaining shares of the club later this year, Sheikh Jassim would re-launch his bid for a full takeover.
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The Middle East businessman is thought to have been frustrated at missing out to Ratcliffe in the United bidding war but his support for the club would persuade him to go back to the negotiation table. When his bid for United was tabled back in February 2023, Sheikh Jassim's consortium set out their vision for the Reds.
"The bid plans to return the club to its former glories," they said. "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 to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world." As exciting as that vision may seem, it remains to be seen whether Sheikh Jassim will ever get the opportunity to implement it.
