Financial expert claims Qatari bidders for Man Utd could win 'hearts and minds' with £800m takeover 'promise'

The Qatar-based bid for Manchester United is aiming to win the 'hearts and minds' of supporters with an £800 million takeover 'pledge', according to a financial expert.

The bid, which has launched by businessman Sheikh Jassim through his Nine Two foundation, is one of several contenders to take over United from the Glazer family.

The offer is reportedly worth over £5 billion, although BBC Sport claim that the proposal from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos has put a higher value on the club.

According to German football journalist Christian Falk, Sheikh Jassim wants to sign the French trio of Eduardo Camavinga, Kylian Mbappe and Kingsley Coman if his proposed full takeover of the club is successful.

City AM, meanwhile, claim that the Qatar-based bid has set aside £800 million to invest in Old Trafford, which has been in dire need of renovation for a number of years.

One of the main criticisms of the Glazer family's ownership has been their own lack of investment in this area - and financial expert Kieran Maguire has given his verdict on the Qatari 'promise'.

Financial expert assesses Qatar 'promise'

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire explained: "I think what we have in terms of this £800m pledge is effectively a bit of a beauty parade from Sheikh Jassim's team.

"He is trying to win the hearts and minds of the Manchester United fanbase by making a promise to deal with an issue which has been sadly neglected by the Glazer family."

He added: "We're now at a point where either takeover party would have to take action about the state of Old Trafford, especially if they want to host European fixtures such as the Champions League final."

The issues with the historic stadium were brought into sharp focus last month, when Old Trafford was not put forward as part of a British and Irish bid to host Euro 2028.

They were on the initial 14-stadium shortlist compiled in November. But The Times reported that Manchester City's Etihad Stadium was favoured instead, and claimed that it is seen as 'being more modern'.

In a statement, United said that uncertainty over future redevelopments of Old Trafford meant it was not included on the final list: "During follow-up discussions with the FA, it became clear that we were unable to provide the necessary certainty around the availability of Old Trafford due to potential redevelopment of the stadium.

"As a result, we have mutually agreed to withdraw from the shortlist of potential hosts."