Yesterday it was confirmed that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, the chairman of Qatari bank QIB, has put in a bid to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100% of Manchester United. The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United once more.

The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the Club supports. The vision of the bid is for Manchester United to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world. More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.

Ownership under the Nine Two Foundation, allegedly named because 1992 was the year Sheikh Jassim starting supporting United, as well as having links with the Class of 92, would see United’s debt wiped out.

Sheikh Jassim is the son of Qatar’s former prime minister, which makes the bid separate to Qatar Sports Investment’s ownership of PSG, and is also not an obviously royal backed bid. There is still concerns from some sections of the fanbase, following the widely reported sportswashing claims against Qatar this winter during the World Cup, with women and LGBTQ+ rights in the country under scrutiny.

Manchester United LGBTQ+ supporters’ group the Rainbow Devils have released a statement expressing their worries about the bid.

Rainbow Devils believe any bidder seeking to buy Manchester United must commit to making football a sport for everyone, including LGBTQ+ supporters, players and staff. We therefore have deep concern over some of the bids that are being made. We are watching the current process closely with this in mind.