The Qatar-based consortium that previously attempted to acquire Manchester United has not been contacted, despite renewed speculation that the Glazer family is considering selling the club. Daily Mail Sport understands that even if such contact were made, it would be 'highly unlikely' that the group would table an offer under current circumstances.
Background on Glazer Ownership
Rumours have persisted for some time that the Florida-based Glazer family is exploring an end to their 21-year tenure at Old Trafford. A report by Bloomberg last night claimed that several family members wish to exit and are attempting to persuade others to join them. Manchester United declined to comment, and senior club sources emphatically dismissed the story. The notoriously private Glazers could not be reached for comment.
Previous Bid by Qatar Group
In 2023, Daily Mail Sport revealed that a Qatar-based group, fronted by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, planned to bid for the Premier League giants after the Glazers invited offers. However, it is understood that the group has not been approached formally or informally to gauge their interest. Should that change, any attempt to trigger a new bid would likely be met with short shrift.
The group remains scarred from its experience over three years ago. It made a final offer of approximately £5 billion for full control of the club, only for the Glazers to sell an initial 25 per cent stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe for £1.3 billion instead. As things stand, they have 'no intention' of returning to the table. Last August, a 'drag along' clause in the Glazers' deal with Ratcliffe came into force, allowing the Americans to sell up if they wish. At that time, sources in Qatar indicated there was no appetite to re-engage, a position that remains unchanged.
Impact of Ratcliffe's Investment
Following Ratcliffe's investment, the Ineos petrochemicals billionaire gained control of operations at United. He quickly initiated a wide-ranging business review, cutting hundreds of jobs and reducing expenditure. United's latest financial figures showed an operating profit of £37.7 million for the nine months to the end of March, with forecasts of an additional £10 million in revenue by year-end, despite a season without European football or a training kit partner.
On-Field Performance and Stadium Plans
Under interim manager Michael Carrick, United finished third last season, securing a lucrative return to Champions League football. The club remains in discussions about whether to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium or carry out significant renovations to Old Trafford.
