Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani will not make a fresh bid to buy Manchester United, despite reports that some Glazer family members are open to selling. The Qatari group led by Sheikh Jassim attempted a full takeover in 2023 but was ultimately unsuccessful, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS completing a partial takeover for around £1.3bn.
According to Mail Online, a new bid is 'highly unlikely', with the group still 'scarred' by their previous experience. A source representing the Qatari group said in 2024: 'In an ideal world, then maybe we paid a little more to get it done. But we had already done that on a number of occasions. We felt like we were being used and the goalposts continually changed.'
Bloomberg reported that some Glazer family members are open to selling and have been trying to persuade others to join them. This has sparked speculation about potential buyers, but Sheikh Jassim's camp has indicated they will not return to the table.
Sheikh Jassim had previously outlined plans to restore Manchester United to its former glory, with a debt-free bid through his Nine Two Foundation. He stated in 2023: '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.'
Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's tenure has faced criticism, with sweeping redundancies and constant manager changes leaving fans unhappy. The club's financial outlook has stabilised, but supporter discontent remains high.
