Man Utd takeover: ‘Confidence’ in Qatari camp it is now a ‘matter of time’ until Glazers accept bid
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamed Al Thani is ‘confident’ he will beat Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to buy Man Utd, according to a report.
It is between Sheikh Jassim and INEOS CEO Ratcliffe in the race for ownership of the Premier League club, with the process of a sale days from being eight months deep after the Glazer family announced last November they would be looking for strategic alternatives for investment, including a full sale
The Raine Group is handling the sale and both bidders are currently in the dark, which is having a negative effect on the Red Devils’ business in the summer transfer window.
Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus, who was interested in buying the club from the Glazers, recently criticised the process on his Twitter account.
‘How many more months shall we read about United takeover news? This is already the most farcical club takeover in history. Never seen anyone so unable to make a decision,’ he said.
Should Ratcliffe, who claims to be a lifelong Man Utd fan, buy the club, he will likely keep the Glazers on board. Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim wants full ownership.
Ratcliffe’s proposition could tempt the American family to pick him ahead of the Qatari billionaire, though a report from Bloomberg says he is ‘confident’ he will be the club’s next owner.
There is a belief it is now ‘simply a matter of time’ until the Qatari group is announced as the successful bidders.
Ratcliffe remains the favourite, mainly down to his willingness to keep the Glazer family at the club.
It is fair to say Ratcliffe would be a better owner for the club from a moral standpoint, though the ambition from the Qataris will be absolutely outstanding for Man Utd on the pitch.
Some reports have suggested Sheikh Jassim would attempt to complete the marquee signing of Neymar if his bid is successful.
Man Utd legend Gary Neville is another who has been very vocal about the sale process.
He recently said: “What you want from leaders is good, clear communication. The Glazer family do the exact opposite.
“They’re in a position of authority, looking after a community – and United’s fans around the world are a global community – but the Glazers haven’t communicated with them for nearly 20 years.
“The sale process is extending to an unpalatable length, everyone’s in the dark and it’s symptomatic. They have to exit but I haven’t got faith that they’ll do the right thing.”
