Home / Football / Qatar-based Consortium confirms bid for Manchester..

Qatar-based Consortium confirms bid for Manchester United

The American Glazer family, who took over the Red Devils in 2005, announced in November that they were open to a sale or investment.

By Sreejith C R | Feb 18, 2023 | 3 Min Read

A consortium led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), announced on Friday that it had submitted an offer to take over English Premier League club Manchester United. The American Glazer family, who took over the Red Devils in 2005, announced in November that they were open to a sale or investment. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s company Ineos is also involved in the race to buy the 20-time Premier League champions.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani bid in for 100% of Manchester United 🚨🔴 #MUFC

“The offer aims to restore the club to its former glory, both on and off the pitch, and will focus on putting fans back at the heart of Manchester United Football Club”.

Full statement ⤵️🚨 pic.twitter.com/c54Zuj1jwi

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 17, 2023

Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari consortium 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.”

Described as a life-long Manchester United fan, Sheikh Jassim is chairman of Qatari bank QIB and the son of a former prime minister of Qatar Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani. His consortium did not provide any details on the amount they proposed to purchase the club for. A Qatari bid for Manchester United would lead to significant investment being made in the team. The Qataris are ready to spend significant sums in restoring the team and the club’s infrastructure, including the home stadium, Old Trafford, and the Carrington training ground. .

A bit more info on Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. He is a life-long #MUFC fan and chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank. He was UK-educated at the Royal Military Academy. He was previously a board member of Credit Suisse Group. pic.twitter.com/06mI4pyerh

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) February 17, 2023

The last time Manchester United won the Premier League title was in the 2012/13 season. And since then, for almost a decade now, the Red Devils have failed to challenge for the title, more often or not fighting for a top-four finish. As of now, United are sitting at the third position in the English top flight standings, having collected 46 points from 23 games, five adrift of leaders Manchester City.

In the last couple of weeks, United have shown tremendous improvement under the stewardship of Dutch tactician Erik ten Hag. On Thursday, the Red Devils earned a precious 2-2 draw against La Liga leaders Barcelona in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie at Camp Nou. United will welcome Blaugrana for the second leg at Old Trafford next week. Meanwhile, their next fixture is against Leicester City in the league on Sunday.