If Sheikh Jassim wants to own Manchester United, then the club’s 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City may just be a jolt he needs to make a fifth bid for the club. Pep Guardiola’s side are a footballing project on the verge of perfection, with two trophies in the bag and one more to potentially follow. If that doesn’t endear the sport to the Qatari billionaire, then what will?
Manchester United clearly have work to do if they’re to dethrone Guardiola’s side any time soon.
The Red Devils were plucky in defeat at Wembley, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty, only for a brace from Ilkay Gundogan to give City the prize instead.
Guardiola’s team are now just one win away from winning the treble, emulating United’s class of 1999 in the process.
And, without a doubt, this is a footballing project on the verge of completion.
When City were purchased by Sheikh Mansour and his Abu Dhabi consortium back in 2008, this was their ultimate dream.
Man Utd takeover: Garnacho could be set for awkward reunion after Sheikh Jassim approval
They wanted to create a team the envy of world football, with superstars not only on the field but on the bench as well.
Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini did well, with both men winning Premier League titles, but Guardiola has elevated his side to dizzying new heights.
United are a club in a state of flux at the moment with takeover talk continuing to rumble on.
Avram Glazer was in no mood to discuss the process after his side’s defeat, ignoring questions from journalists – just like he and the family often ignore supporters.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems to be the frontrunner to buy United, amid suggestions he may allow all six of the Glazer siblings to stay.
But Sheikh Jassim can’t be ruled out, either.
The Qatari billionaire has made four bids for the club so far and there’s a sense he could yet be persuaded to launch one more assault.
Looking at City may just tempt him into doing that.
If Abu Dhabi can make such a big impact at a club, with all the money they possess, then why not Qatar?
United are an exciting project. The prospect of re-awakening a sleeping giant, one that is beginning to rouse these days, is an exciting one.
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Qatar want United because, in part, of what Abu Dhabi have done with City by transforming them into the best team on the planet.
The foundations are there at United to do the same. They merely need to be built on.
Erik ten Hag is the right manager for the club, with the Dutchman impressing in the dugout after just a year in the job.
United have a solid enough spine with players such as Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
They also have some players who can be perceived as being work in progress, such as Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
And while City are the superpower for today, United have the potential to be one again in the future.
When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, he did so after watching the Red Devils lost 4-3 to Real Madrid in a memorable Champions League glory.
Abramovich then worked his own magic on the Blues and their slump since his departure as owner last year speaks volumes about what he did for the club.
Sheikh Jassim, for now, isn’t ruling out one last bid.
As a United fan, seeing his side give City a golden shot at the treble, the onus is now on him to act accordingly.
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