Sheikh Jassim stance on reviving Man Utd takeover bid as Glazer family members 'debate sale'

Some members of the Glazer family are open to selling their stake in Manchester United after more than two decades at the helm, but the Qatar-based group led by Sheikh Jassim is unlikely to get involved.

Sheikh Jassim and the Qatari group previously failed to complete a £4.5 billion takeover of Manchester United.

Back in November 2022, the Glazer family announced they were open to a potential sale of the club and, after a lengthy process, Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were declared the two main bidders.

Jassim had offered around £5 billion for the club, according to a report from the BBC, with £1.4 billion being proposed to finance new stadium plans, training centre facilities and new players.

But after months of speculation, negotiations came to an end in 2023, with Jassim's camp withdrawing from the process.

Almost a year later and Ratcliffe's deal to buy a 27.7 per cent stake in United was completed, although some cost-cutting decisions made by the British billionaire and INEOS have since proven unpopular.

A seat reserved for members of the Glazer family is pictured in the director's box at Old Trafford. Image credit: Getty

Once again, Jassim and the Qatari group have been linked with a renewed offer after a report from Bloomberg on Thursday claimed that some members of the Glazer family have been debating whether to sell their stake in United.

It is said several stakeholders in the US-based Glazer family have been studying the possibility of divesting part or all of their holdings in the Premier League club.

Jassim and the Qatari group, meanwhile, have not been approached about buying stakes in United, according to the Mail. In fact, an offer has been deemed 'highly unlikely', even if contact was to be made.

How much would the Glazers be willing to sell for?

Back in October, it was reported that the Glazers were preparing for a bid from foreign investors, with a report from the Star claiming that they were ‘open’ to offers exceeding £5bn for their 48.9 per cent stake in the club.

The Glazer family completed their controversial takeover of Manchester United in 2005 during Sir Alex Ferguson’s trophy-laden tenure.

Their ownership has coincided with the club winning five Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, one Champions League, one Europa League and a FIFA Club World Cup.

However, a large portion of the club’s fanbase has called for change throughout the Glazer’s reign, with United’s growing debt provoking widespread discontent.