Manchester United are being linked with a bid from Qatar – much to the surprise of those closest to the rumoured bid
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Manchester United are being linked with a bid from Qatar – but according to one report, there is no bid planned from the Middle Eastern state.
Today is the deadline for bids to be made to buy the Red Devils, with a proposal confirmed to arrive from the likes of lifelong fan and INEOS entrepreneur, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, along with potential interest from Saudi Arabia and the United States. A Qatari bid is expected too, though this is so far unconfirmed.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, looks on as Lionel Messi is presented with the World Cup (Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
"The discussion at executive level of the French club’s Champions League game on Tuesday night was that they were surprised at so much of the coverage," Delaney states.
"One source from within Qatar Sports Investments, who are a subsidiary of QIA, said no bid for United would come from either fund.
"There was an acknowledgement that it's possible a private investor makes an offer, but the political structure of the state means no businessman is really 'private', and a venture of this scale would still require high-level sanctioning.
"Other analysts of the Middle East believe it preposterous that they would allow a state project like PSG to be encroached upon."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe also wants to buy Manchester United (Image credit: Getty Images)
While there have been plenty of rumours of Qatar buying United, conflicting reports mean that this saga could drag on a little longer. The deadline for bids could be extended by two weeks – though a bid for United could come from a variety of sources within Qatar.
The news comes as The Athletichave revealed that two-thirds of fans want Sir Jim Ratcliffe to become the new owner.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
