Qataris set to make Second Bid for Manchester United

Qataris boss Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is set to make a second bid for Manchester United on Wednesday, with growing confidence among bidders that the Glazer family will sell the club.

Sources in the US say talks between Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari and Manchester united executives last Thursday were positive.

Sheikh Jassim’s advisers are now working on putting together a new bid which is expected to be submitted by the close of business on Wednesday this week.

Previous to a delegation’s visit to Old Trafford, it was believed that the Qatari bidders were not willing to pay more than necessary for the club. But, their position has since softened.

Qataris boss and his team had recently visited Old Trafford in the capacity of supporters, and the aim of this visit was to obtain insights on what they might achieve with their financial investment in the areas of infrastructure, youth development, and the women’s team.

There is also growing confidence among bidders that the Glazer family, who believe the club is worth at least £6bn, are willing to sell United.

Before making another bid, they had been trying to get more information. Sheikh Jassim did not only want to go for a photo opportunity because it was too early for him to arrive in person.

He sent his best team of financial, banking, real estate, and legal specialists to work with the Qataris, who were fully committed to buying the club.

Meanwhile, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also expected to make a second offer for Manchester United next week after visiting the club on Friday. INEOS representatives spent six hours at Old Trafford and Carrington before leaving to digest the information received before making a new formal offer.

Ratcliffe, 70, flew to Manchester from Nice on Thursday and spent Friday at Old Trafford meeting with the executive team of United.

It’s an interesting contrast with Sheikh Jassim. Sir Jim was happy to be filmed and photographed, and it was significant that [Man Utd CEO] Richard Arnold was there to greet him when he arrived, shaking his hand and being photographed then too.

It gives you another sense that maybe the Glazers are serious about selling Man Utd.
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol

In contrast to the Qataris boss, who did not personally visit Manchester the day before, he was pictured outside Old Trafford after visiting club executives.