The Qatari consortium led by 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 group, which attempted a full takeover in 2023, remains 'scarred' by the experience and considers a new bid 'highly unlikely', according to Mail Online.
Current owners the Glazers encouraged offers three years ago, but Sheikh Jassim's bid ultimately failed. Instead, Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed a partial takeover for around £1.3bn. Recent reports from Bloomberg suggested some Glazers are trying to persuade other family members to sell, sparking speculation about potential buyers.
A source representing the Qatari group expressed regret over the failed deal, stating: '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.'
Sheikh Jassim had previously outlined plans to restore the club to its former glories, promising a debt-free bid through his Nine Two Foundation. He said the bid would invest in the football teams, training centre, stadium, and fan experience. However, the group has now stepped away from any renewed interest.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's tenure has faced criticism, with sweeping redundancies and frequent manager changes frustrating fans. The club's financial outlook has stabilised, but supporter discontent remains high.
