Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani could soon be confirmed as Manchester United ’s new owner if a new report is to be believed, with a takeover rumoured to be rubber stamped ‘in the next few hours’.
The Qatari billionaire has been in the race to complete a deal for the Red Devils since the club were put up for sale by the Glazers back in November. He has lodged a number of bids for United since then and has been going head-to-head with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Neither have been named as preferred bidders by the facilitators of the sale - the Raine Group. However, it now appears that a deal could be completed sooner rather than later.
According to Qatari outlet Al Raya, the protracted takeover process could be completed in a matter of hours. It is further suggested that the purchase contracts will be signed by the Glazers sooner rather than later.
It is added that Sheikh Jassim’s camp are now expressing their confidence in running out victors in the race and an announcement is only a matter of time away. With a potential deal edging close, it appears that the disagreement between the Glazer siblings has subsided.
Former Red Devils’ defender Rio Ferdinand had suggested that was the main problem that was delaying a deal. Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, he said: “I had some news from a very good source, my great source at Manchester United.
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“Things were running quite smoothly and it was going down the right path but then obviously [it hit a bump]. I think the big issue is, when you’re dealing with a group of people rather than an individual, it makes things very complex and difficult at times.
"You’re not dealing with one individual with the Glazers – I think Jim Ratcliffe came out and said it. That’s been the issue behind the scenes, I didn’t want to come out and say it, but you’re dealing with siblings in the Glazer family who are there to make a collective decision.
"I don’t think one person can just make a decision on their own, so therefore that makes it very difficult to say yes immediately just like that [clicks fingers]. It’s a process that they have to go through."
Should a deal be announced soon, it would bring to an end the Glazers’ long and highly-criticised stint at the helm at Old Trafford. The Americans have been owners of the club for nearly two decades since their own takeover back in 2005.
Fans have regularly protested against their presence, whilst supporters have been left furious with their handling of the takeover process. A clutch of fans aired their frustration on the same day as the Red Devils’ release of their new home kit.
That led to the club having to close their official megastore o n the day of the release. A statement from the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust read: "The overwhelming majority of United fans want to see a conclusion to this protracted sale process with the majority supporting a full sale, at least based on our soundings. Protest planned on Tuesday to make that message clear."
