A group of Qatari investors are planning to make a huge bid to buy Premier League giants Manchester United. The only information out in the general public is that they are “a group of private, high-wealth individuals” from Qatar which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup where Lionel Messi steered Argentina to win the trophy after beating France 4-2 on penalties following an entertaining 120 minutes of football. The group will be facing competition from Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS which formally entered the bidding process to buy United last month after the Glazer family who are the current owners began looking at options that include new investment or a potential sale.

Sources also indicate that Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which owns Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was considering either a total takeover of Manchester United or a stalk in the club or their long-time rivals Liverpool. The Red Devils fans have for some years now been targeting the Glazer family in a bid to push for the change of ownership at the club with concerns being that the current owners are more interested in the commercial aspect of the club at the expense of the sporting aspect. The team last won silverware during the reign of manager Jose Mourinho in 2017 bagging the Europa League and League Cup trophies and last put their hands on the English Premier League when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge. In April last year, thousands protested outside Old Trafford, lighting flares and singing songs demanding the Glazers “get out of the club”. 

Another bone of contention among fans is United's debt which had grown to $620.42 million by September last year. United currently sit third in the league with 42 points after 21 games behind league leaders Arsenal and city rivals Manchester City. They are eight points adrift of the Gunners who still have one game in hand. Current manager Erik Ten Hag has severally said that he has a long-term plan to build a culture and to develop players at the club. He was appointed in April 2022 to succeed interim boss Ralf Rangnick. When United face Newcastle United in the League Cup final on February 26, they will be presented with the chance to win their first trophy in six years. 

The Qatari investors are said to be planning to hand Erik Ten Hag a huge transfer kitty in case their bid is successful. Qatar's monarch Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is known to be a big Manchester United fan. The Qatari group are confident the bid will blow away rivals, with Glazers seeking £6bn. They will make an offer for United in the coming days, ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers, and are confident their bid will blow the competition out of the water. Fan engagement is at the heart of their bid and they may well seek the views of supporters on the future of the stadium. There are prospects that a huge bill in the purchase of United might develop in the coming days as the race to succeed the Glazer family as owners begin to gather pace. 

(Image: SkyNews)