Sheikh Jassim in 'holding pattern' with news of winning bid to buy Man United premature

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's camp have tampered expectations that a deal to buy Manchester United had been successful and an announcement imminent after a newspaper reported Monday that the Qatari banker had beaten rival Sir Jim Ratcliffe to purchase the club.

Sources close to the Qatari royal say claims made Monday by Al-Watan newspaper were premature, and that they remain in a "holding pattern" while the United board consider both bids.

Al-Watan set pulses racing that Sheikh Jassim had been chosen as United's preferred bid.

Fahed Al Emadi, the editor of Qatari-based newspaper, tweeted: “All the news received indicates the success of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jassim’s acquisition of Manchester United, and the announcement of the deal will be very soon.”

His tweet followed another from the outlet’s official account which stated that Sheikh Jassim had won the race to buy the English giants.

Al Emadi rowed back on those claims Tuesday, though, claiming that Al-Watan's story was based on international media reports while also denying that the newspaper was owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former Prime Minister of Qatar and Sheikh Jassim's father.

He tweeted: "Contrary to certain media and social media reports overnight, Al Watan is not owned by Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Al Watan's media report yesterday speculating about possible movement in the Manchester United takeover process was based on international media reports, as stated in the article itself, and with such news widely circulating periodically in international media for many months."

For more clarification "Contrary to certain media and social media reports overnight, Al Watan is not owned by Hamad bin Jassim bin