Manchester United have reportedly begun talks with Qatari investors as speculation heats up over the future ownership of the Premier League giants ahead of the bids deadline. The American Glazer family, who completed the takeover of the 20-time English champions in 2005, announced in November that they were open to sale or investment. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos company officially entered the race to buy the club last month – the only bidder to publicly declare interest so far.
It is understood that prospective buyers have till February 17 to submit offers. The Daily Mail said a group of private investors from Qatar want to buy United and have held talks with the club’s hierarchy, believing they would be the strongest bid.
The Guardian reported that Qatar’s ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, was interested in buying United just weeks after the energy-rich Gulf state hosted the World Cup. But Emir bought French champions Paris Saint-Germain through Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011 – meaning a full purchase of United would not be permitted under current UEFA rules.
Britain’s Press Association said QSI was considering buying a minority stake in United or another Premier League club. The organization is a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the country’s sovereign wealth fund with hundreds of billions of dollars in assets.
QIA chief executive Mansour Al-Mahmoud told Bloomberg last month: “Sovereign wealth funds are becoming investors in some of the clubs and you wouldn’t be surprised if we invest in this (sector), but again we are a very Fundamental process and making sure that if we invest, it is commercially driven for our future generations.”
Amnesty International said Qatar’s interest in United should serve as a “wake-up call” to the Premier League’s ownership rules.
“In view of the World Cup and vigorous efforts by the Qatari government to project a shiny new image for the country, it is highly likely that any Qatari bid for Manchester United will be a continuation of this state-backed sportswashing project,” Amnesty UK’s Economic Affairs said Peter Frankenthal, director of
He added: “We are not necessarily opposed to state-linked foreign financial conglomerate involvement in English football, but the Premier League must urgently strengthen ownership rules to ensure they are in line with human rights and more The game is not an occasion to wash.”
The unpopular Glazers saddled United with huge debts and further angry fans by backing the failed European Super League project in 2021.
The club has not won the Premier League since 2013 and has failed to win any silverware since 2017. United are third in the Premier League this season after an improvement in form under manager Erik ten Haag, who took over before the start of the current campaign. ,
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