Thomas Zilliacus insists his Manchester United bid is 'on same level' as Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus says his bid for Manchester United is “on the same level” as the ones tabled by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The entrepreneur has told MEN Sport that he submitted a formal bid on Friday, a proposal which would see him own 50 per cent of the club with Reds fans owning the other half. Zilliacus, head of social media business novaM Group, says supporters from all over the world who invest would be able to have their say on many key club decisions through an app.

The bid is being funded by XXI Century Capital, an investment firm owned by his holding company. The Manchester Evening News understands that the firm comprises of investors from Europe, Asia and America.

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XXI Century Capital first contacted the Raine Group - the US bank overseeing the takeover process - on Wednesday, March 22, officially indicating its interest and signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement. On Friday, Zilliacus says the formal bid was submitted following the extension from Wednesday evening's soft deadline for revised bids.

Speaking to MEN Sport, Zilliacus admitted that he does not have the deep personal funds that the likes of Sheikh Al-Thani and Ratcliffe do but is funding the bid along with other investors, who do not yet wish to go public, through XXI Century Capital.

“The formal bid we have submitted is, I dare to say, on the same level and in line with the other bidders that have been discussed in public,” the 59-year-old said. “We are discussing with a number of parties and if we are allowed to proceed, then we will select the ones who fit best into the framework in what we want to achieve with the club.”

Ratclif