Manchester United Sale: Sheikh Jassim, Jim Ratcliffe Make Third Bids

After a third round of bidding for Manchester United, Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe are still hoping to take control of the storied football team. (More Football News)

Persons with knowledge of the bids said the latest offers were submitted on Friday. ⛎The persons spoke on condition of anonymity because t🍸hey were not permitted to comment publicly.

Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe confirmed their intention to buy United this year after current owners, 🤡the Glazer family, announced in November their willingness to listen to offers for the English Premier League club.

While the Glazers could yet decide to remain in control, merchaཧnt bank Raine Group has fielded bids from potential buyers and investors as it explores strategic alternatives. 

The size of the 🍎bids are not known, but it is estimated the price could be around USD 6 billion if a♓ full sale goes through.

Sheikh Jassim's proposal includes a "significant amount of addi൲tional capital and infrastructure investment&qu🔜ot; that would go directly to United, the person with knowledge of the bid said.

Following reports that Ratclif♍fe, the owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS, would be willing to let the Glazers retain a minority stake, he has maintained from the start that he is seekin𓆏g majority ownership.

Uni🅷ted supporters have long campaigned to drive out the Glazers after the family's late patriarch, Malcolm, 𝕴bought the club for around USD 1.4 billion in 2005.

Fans were angered by the leveraged nature of the buyout that lo🌟aded debt onto the club. Ill feelings also grew as the team's success declined over the past decade.

The Glazers' confirmation that it w🦂ould consider a sale was celebrated by large sections of United's support, but concerns were raised about the amount of time it has taken to conclude the process.

The Glazers, who also own the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, want the proce🌟ss to be completed in time for the start of the offs𒅌eason transfer window. 

Prospective 🅷new owners would be expect༒ed to invest heavily in the squad this summer, with manager Erik ten Hag needing a top-class center forward following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the season.

A redevelopment or rebuilding of Old Trafford 🧸coul🐻d also cost in excess of USD 1 billion, while investment could also be made into the club's training facilities. 

Sheikh Jassim ha🏅s previously stated his commitment to invest in the stadium, training center and playing squads in a bid to "return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch."

Ratcli༺ffe was born in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, and was a boyhood fan. 

INEOS has spoken of a "fan-centered approach to owners♒hip" and a determination to make United the "No. 1 clu✤b in the world once again."

Despite the bids from Sheikh Jassim and♑ Ratcliffe, the Glazers could yet opt to sell a mi𒁏nority stake or take up other funding options.