Manchester United

Sheikh Jassim 'to complete Manchester United takeover by November'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 05 August 2023

Sheikh Jassim 'to complete Man United takeover by November'

Manchester United expect Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to officially complete a takeover of the club by November, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly expecting Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to officially complete a takeover of the club by November.

Towards the end of last year, the Glazers revealed that they were open to selling the club, and it had initially been thought that a deal could be done by April.

However, the takeover process has hit a number of roadblocks along the way, with the Glazer family believed to be split when it came to selling the club entirely or remaining as a minority shareholder.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently insisted that he remains in the running to purchase the 20-time English champions amid suggestions that Sheikh Jassim was set to be named the preferred bidder.

The offer from Ratcliffe is initially believed to be for a controlling stake, with the structure of the deal potentially allowing the Glazers to remain as minority shareholders before a full purchase is made at a later date.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is pictured at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, March 17, 2023 © Reuters

However, according to The Sun, the long-running saga is expected to come to an end by November, with the Qataris set to become the new owners of the club.

The report claims that a £6bn sale is now close to being completed, with Sheikh Jassim agreeing to meet the gigantic asking place which was set by the Glazers last November.

Sheikh Jassim is set to complete a full takeover, and the Qatari banker has allegedly made it clear that he will make substantial funds available to improve Old Trafford and the Carrington training complex.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the ownership situation of the club, Man United have brought both Mason Mount and Andre Onana to the club from Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively this summer.

Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount on July 19, 2023 © Reuters

The 20-time English champions are also planning to announce a deal for Atalanta BC forward Rasmus Hojlund ahead of Saturday afternoon's pre-season friendly with Lens.

Following the clash with last season's Ligue 1 runners-up at Old Trafford, Man United will head to Dublin for their final friendly of the summer against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Erik ten Hag's side are expected to add at least one more player to their squad before the end of the transfer window, with Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat thought to be their leading option in midfield.

There will have to be some first-team exits in order to balance the books, meanwhile, with Brandon Williams, Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire, Fred, Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay among those being linked with moves away from the club.