“Big level of interest…” What Qatari advisor said about Sheikh Jassim’s Manchester United takeover plan

Interest in Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim taking over Manchester United has risen again following the failings of co-owners INEOS during the season so far.

INEOS’ first year as confirmed co-owners of Manchester United has not gone to plan, with the club sitting 15th in the Premier League table and in a perilous position financially.

After choosing to retain Erik ten Hag in the summer, the club reversed their position and sacked him in October, spending £20 million to fire him and hire Sporting CP manager Rúben Amorim.

With the two head coaches having vastly different styles at Old Trafford, many have criticised the 40-year-old boss with Amorim having so far failed to implement his 3-4-3 formation at the club.

With the club also sitting very close to financial sanctions, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to fire around 400 staff members since he became a club co-owner, fans are planning protests against his ownership.

Why did Sheikh Jassim’s United bid fail?

Before Ratcliffe purchased 27.7% of United’s shares and became a co-owner of the club, he was in an intense battle with Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim for the club.

Ratcliffe won as his bid eventually meant majority owners the Glazer family kept their place, while Jassim wanted to buy 100% of the club and reportedly submitted a £4.79 billion offer to buy United.

However, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings revealed earlier in the year that the Qatari failed to provide proof of funds before he then withdrew from the process.

Another reason why Ratcliffe eventually won his bid was because he valued United at around £5 billion with his £1.25 billion overall bid for around a quarter of the club, which was higher than Jassim’s valuation, meaning the Glazers preferred the Brit’s money-per-share offer.

What was said about Sheikh Jassim’s interest

According to the Daily Mail, Jassim is still very much interested in and plans on possibly purchasing United as he dreams of owning the club he is said to support.

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A Qatari advisor told them: “He is still a United fan. He is not going to rush off and try another Premier League club.

“If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there.”

The report also claims that, had Jassim successfully bought the club, he would have removed all of the club’s debt, which has been a huge financial burden for United, and announced plans for a fully-funded new stadium within days of his confirmation.

United are leaning towards building a new Old Trafford, and it’s expected that this may cost as much as £2 billion to do so.

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