Manchester United takeover candidate Sheikh Jassim was never on the verge of pulling out of the process, it has been claimed. The mysterious figure has been frustrated by the delay to proceedings, with the Glazers yet to make a final decision. And it’s also claimed he made late bids for the club because of fears he was losing ground to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
It has now been eight months since the Glazers first confirmed they were open to potentially leaving Manchester United.
And, just weeks ago, there were suggestions that Sheikh Jassim could withdraw from the race amid frustrations over the delay.
Now, however, BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone has set the record straight.
He insists Sheikh Jassim was never going to withdraw, while also claiming he submitted late bids after the deadline because of fears Ratcliffe was in pole position.
“I was told a rumour the other day that Sheikh Jassim was about to pull out,” he told The United Stand.
“I checked that, and that was just dismissed.
“There are all kinds of rumours but ultimately people can feel the way they feel.
“They can be frustrated. They can believe that they’re in pole position or that they’re behind. It comes back to the Glazers.
“The only thing that I would say – and there was a lot of reporting about this – when we were at the period of final deadlines which seems like months ago now, after that more bids came in from Sheikh Jassim.
“That was off the back of Sir Ratcliffe.”
Sheikh Jassim is committed to buying United.
The Qatari billionaire feels the Glazers have neglected the Red Devils, having ruled the roost ever since 2005.
He is adamant he’ll invest heavily in United, promising funds for Old Trafford, their Carrington training complex and summer transfers.
United are pressing ahead with plans to recruit players while the takeover saga rumbles on in the background.
Mason Mount has already joined, with the England international moving from Chelsea for an initial £55million.
Andre Onana is poised to follow, with the Red Devils hopeful of securing the Cameroon international.
And United are also expected to pursue Rasmus Hojlund. The Atalanta striker is keen to join, having previously confessed to being a ‘huge fan’ of the club.
As for Ratcliffe, the INEOS chief confirmed last week that he was still in the race to buy United.
And that’s despite reports saying his bid was struggling for momentum due to minority shareholders at United.
“We have a good offer and we have met with the Glazers a couple of times,” he said at a book launch last week.
“We have had good discussions with them. We would still very much like to do it. And we would be doing it for the right reasons.
“But in the end it is their decision not our decision.”
He added: “Teams don’t come around very often. There are some special teams and the value of them tends to go up.
“The value of teams like this one is very special and rare – like art.
“I don’t think the world of sport will change that much in ten years.
“It is one of our key interests – get the lads in the pub and football is one of the two or three subjects we ever talk about.
“It’s football. We’ve worked really hard all our lives.
“Now we’ve made a bit of money so you’re allowed to have some fun, so long as it’s sensible economically.”
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