A Qatari source close to Sheikh Jassim tells @centredevils that Jassim still remains interested in acquiring Manchester United and is ready to re-enter the bidding if the Glazers and/or Sir Jim Ratcliffe are open to selling.
Qatari Insider Reveals Sheikh Jassim Still Interested in Manchester United — Ready to Re-Enter Bidding War If Glazers or Sir Jim Ratcliffe Show Openness to Sell
Qatari Insider Reveals Sheikh Jassim Still Interested in Manchester United — Ready to Re-Enter Bidding War If Glazers or Sir Jim Ratcliffe Show Openness to Sell
In a major development that could dramatically reshape the future of one of the world’s most iconic football clubs, a Qatari source close to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has revealed to @centredevils, a trusted Manchester United fan outlet, that the Sheikh remains firmly interested in acquiring Manchester United and is prepared to re-enter the bidding process should there be any signal of willingness to sell from the Glazer family or Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
This revelation comes months after Sheikh Jassim’s highly publicized exit from the initial takeover negotiations — a decision that frustrated many Manchester United fans who had hoped for full ownership under new leadership and an injection of fresh financial and sporting ambition.
But now, the door may not be completely closed.
🔙 Background: Sheikh Jassim vs. Sir Jim Ratcliffe — The Battle for United
In 2022, the Glazer family announced a “strategic review” of Manchester United’s ownership model, triggering a bidding war between two high-profile contenders:
- Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, a Qatari banker and royal family member, proposed a 100% buyout of the club, promising to wipe the debt, upgrade Old Trafford and Carrington, and bring United back to elite status.
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man and owner of INEOS, proposed a partial stake acquisition, offering to take minority and later majority control, while allowing the Glazers to remain involved temporarily.
Despite many fans favoring Sheikh Jassim’s all-in proposal, the Glazers ultimately accepted Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s offer, granting him a 25% stake in the club along with control of football operations — effectively making him the de facto decision-maker at Old Trafford.
Sheikh Jassim, reportedly frustrated by delays, price demands, and negotiation tactics, officially withdrew his bid in October 2023.
🔁 Renewed Interest: What Changed?
According to the Qatari source cited by @centredevils, Sheikh Jassim has never fully walked away from the idea of owning Manchester United — and has been closely monitoring the developments at the club, particularly:
- The early struggles of INEOS to restructure the footballing department;
- Fan unrest over the Glazers’ continued presence;
- And ongoing doubts about whether Sir Jim’s partial investment can truly take the club back to the top of English and European football.
“He remains interested. He has not shut the door,” said the source. “If the Glazers or Ratcliffe indicate even slight willingness to revisit a sale — full or majority — Sheikh Jassim will be ready.”
This opens the possibility of a renewed takeover bid, especially if the INEOS-led project falters in its initial stages or if the Glazers seek to cash out further in the near future.
💰 What Jassim Promised — and Why Many Fans Still Want Him
Sheikh Jassim’s original proposal wasn’t just a takeover — it was a complete transformation plan for Manchester United, including:
- Clearing over £1 billion in club debt
- Investing £1.5 billion into infrastructure (Old Trafford, Carrington, women’s team, youth academy)
- Modernizing the club’s commercial and recruitment structures
- Bringing in a leadership model that values football over finance, in stark contrast to the Glazer-era approach
Many supporters believed this was the only truly clean break from the past — one that could rival the state-backed models of Manchester City and Newcastle United.
That dream appeared dead when Jassim exited the process. But now, hope is being rekindled.
🧠 What Does This Mean for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Current Regime?
The timing of this leak is significant.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has only just begun implementing his INEOS vision. He has:
- Appointed Omar Berrada (formerly of Manchester City) as CEO,
- Brought in Jason Wilcox as technical director,
- Tasked a football committee with reviewing everything from player recruitment to analytics.
However, early challenges have already arisen:
- United’s lack of spending power in the current transfer window has frustrated fans,
- Old Trafford remains dilapidated, with no concrete redevelopment timeline,
- And the Glazers’ presence on the board continues to draw weekly protests from the fanbase.
If the INEOS project begins to falter — or if financial pressure mounts — Ratcliffe may find himself under scrutiny. In that scenario, the prospect of Sheikh Jassim re-entering the fold becomes a much more serious possibility.
🗣️ Fan Reaction: “Don’t Tease Us — Make It Happen”
Within minutes of the @centredevils report, social media erupted with a familiar wave of emotions: hope, caution, and frustration.
“We wanted Jassim from Day 1. If he’s still interested, the club must make it happen.”
“INEOS is not the worst, but we need ambition. Jassim promised a fresh slate.”
“Ratcliffe has the vision, but not the resources. Jassim has both.”
While some fans believe in Sir Jim’s long-term plan, others see Jassim’s potential return as the ultimate solution to break free from the Glazers’ legacy once and for all.
🔮 What’s Next? Could Another Bidding War Really Happen?
At the moment, there’s no indication that the Glazers are preparing to sell any additional shares — or that Sir Jim is considering stepping aside. But in football, things change fast.
If results falter, stadium delays persist, or fan protests grow louder, pressure could mount on the current structure. A well-timed offer from Sheikh Jassim — with the cash to buy the club outright — would be impossible to ignore.
“He’s not here to make noise,” the source added. “He’s here to make history — if the door is opened.”
🧠 Final Thought: A Sleeping Bid Awakens?
The battle for Manchester United may not be over — merely paused.
As Sir Jim Ratcliffe tries to lay the foundation for a new era, the shadow of Sheikh Jassim still looms large over Old Trafford. And now, with confirmation that his interest has not waned, the future of the club could yet be shaped by a second chapter of this ownership saga.
All eyes are once again on the Glazers.
Will they hold on forever?
Or will they finally listen — to fans, to reason, and maybe, to Qatar?
Only time will tell.
