Qataris are 'sick of being taken for mugs' in Man Utd takeover talks, claims journalist

The Qatari bid are sick of being “taken for mugs” during their attempts to take over Manchester United, a journalist has claimed.

Last November United’s American owners, the Glazers, announced they would be “exploring strategic alternatives” for the Old Trafford club, with a full sale among the possible outcomes.

There have since been three rounds of bidding for the Premier League giants, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and British petrochemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe the favourites to become United’s majority shareholder.

While Ratcliffe is only seeking a majority stake - one which allows the Glazers to maintain some connection with the club - Sheikh Jassim has made a bid for a 100 per cent takeover.

But eight months have passed since the Glazers first announced they were exploring “strategic alternatives” and both bidders are still waiting to find out who will take the reins at Old Trafford.

It has been claimed in some quarters that the source of the delay is that the Glazer family are butting heads over whether they should accept a full sale.

However, another theory is that the club are waiting for Sheikh Jassim to meet the Glazer’s £6billion valuation.

Qatar wants to be taken seriously

Sheikh Jassim ensures he is independent of the Qatar Investment Authority and merely a private bidder.

Nevertheless, Athletic journalist Matt Slater alleged Sheikh Jassim's consortium do not want to overpay for United as it would have implications on future Qatari investment.

When discussing whether Sheikh Jassim would be willing to pay over the odds to purchase United, Slater told Stretford Paddock: “There’s certainly a theory, and it’s a pretty good theory, that this entire eight-month dance has been about getting them to do that.

“Just drag it out. ‘Come on, Sheikh, we know you can afford it. You’re doing this in cash, you said you’re going to clear the debt. What’s another half-billion between friends?

“There’s a big problem there. The Qataris are sick of being taken for mugs. And if they overpay in this deal, they worry that they will be asked to overpay on the next property deal, the next time they buy a chunk of Uber or Starbucks, whatever it is, the next time a large piece of real estate comes up in Manchester or London or Paris or Geneva or wherever it might be.”

Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Qatar

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.