Sheikh Jassim submits fifth bid for Manchester United

Sheikh Jassim has submitted an improved fifth bid for Manchester United, the PA news agency reports.

The club announced in November that the board was exploring strategic alternatives to enhance the club's growth, with a full sale one option being considered.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim both publicly confirmed initial offers in February and the latter is understood to have this week made a fifth bid to acquire United.

Officials and staff inside Old Trafford are eager for clarity over the takeover situation, which began in November 2022 when United announced that the board was exploring “strategic alternatives” to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered.

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Sheikh Jassim was the first prospective owner to publicly confirm a bid during the first round back in February and was soon joined by Ratcliffe, the Manchester-born owner of INEOS. The first quarter of the year was initially recognised as a key time in a process that has rumbled on for several months.

February’s soft deadline was followed by a second deadline in March for those that progressed, with Raine Group, brought in to oversee the sale, then asking interested parties for their third and final bid on April 28. Sheikh Jassim submitted a fourth bid last month.

United fans have made clear their desire for a full buy-out from the Glazers, who have been unpopular since their leveraged takeover of the club in 2005.

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