Manchester United are closing in on a year since Ineos were chosen as the preferred bidder for the minority stake in the club, while co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his board are currently going through one of their toughest periods since the billionaire acquired a minority stake in the club.
Last weekend’s PR disaster which saw sporting director Dan Ashworth depart the club after just five months in the supposedly cushy seat left a sour taste in the mouths of plenty of supporters. The Reds’ fanbase were implored to be patient but the plea is starting to wear thin after a wretched start to the campaign both on and off the pitch.
And now, closing in on a full year since the club’s takeover process was concluded, the Middle Eastern man who finished second in that takeover race appears to still be harboring desires of returning.
Amazingly, sources close to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani believe the Qatari banker has still got an eye on taking over the Reds in the future, according to the Daily Mail. The Middle East businessman was a fan of the Reds since birth and it is claimed he would have been looking to hire rather than fire staff, had he won the bid.
When asked if Sheikh Jassim would bid again for United, the source said: “If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there.”