Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe were granted extra time to make their bids for Manchester Unted amid confusion on Wednesday night.
The Glazer family confirmed back in November a willingness to consider ‘strategic alternatives’ for the club they have owned since 2005, including the possibility of a full takeover.
Sources close to Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe had confirmed bids had been made, but not long after the deadline it became apparent that their offers had not indeed been submitted. Instead, an extension was granted by Raine Group – who are overseeing the sale of the club. As it stands, both groups remain committed to making offers, but sources say there is no new deadline.
Other investors did meet the initial deadline with their bids.
Overall, United officials have met with multiple suitors this month. That included a delegation representing Sheikh Jassim, while Ratcliffe personally made the trip to Old Trafford.
Improved bids expected
Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe are now expected to submit their offers by the end of the month, with each due to be in excess of £5bn – such a figure eclipses the current world record paid for a sports team, set when the Denver Broncos were bought for $4.65bn (£3.75bn) last year. The eventual sale price for Chelsea was £2.5bn, with an additional £1.75bn pledged for investment.
Sources have previously confirmed to 90min that the Glazers have been holding out for £6bn.
Ratcliffe said just this week he would not be pressured into paying over the odds.
What has Sheikh Jassim said about buying Man Utd?
“The bid plans to return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more,” a statement issued on his behalf upon his opening bid last month explained.
“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 Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.”
What has Sir Jim Ratcliffe said about buying Man Utd?
“We would see our role as the long-term custodians of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community,” a statement from INEOS read when Ratcliffe’s initial bid was confirmed.
“We are ambitious and highly competitive and would want to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world once again.
“We also recognise that football governance in this country is at a crossroads. We would want to help lead this next chapter, deepening the culture of English football by making the club a beacon for a modern, progressive, fan-centred approach to ownership.
“We want a Manchester United anchored in its proud history and roots in the North-West of England, putting the Manchester back into Manchester United and clearly focusing on winning the Champions League.”
