The third round of bidding for Manchester United has been a long and drawn out process, with a number of potential buyers vying for the club. The latest development in the saga is that the club has now entered into a second round of bidding, with two of the most prominent bidders, Jim Ratcliffe and the Qataris, making offers.
Jim Ratcliffe is the founder and chairman of the Ineos Group, a multinational chemicals company. He is a billionaire and has been linked with a takeover of Manchester United for some time. Ratcliffe has reportedly made an offer of around £2.5 billion for the club, which is believed to be the highest bid so far.
The Qataris, meanwhile, are a group of investors from the Middle East. They have been linked with a takeover of Manchester United for some time, and have reportedly made an offer of around £2 billion. The Qataris are believed to be backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund.
Both Ratcliffe and the Qataris have been in talks with the Glazer family, who own Manchester United, for some time. It is believed that the Glazers are keen to sell the club, and are now in the process of evaluating the offers from both parties.
The second round of bidding is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, with a decision expected to be made by the end of the month. It is unclear at this stage who will be successful in their bid for the club, but it is likely to be a close-run race between Ratcliffe and the Qataris.
Whichever party is successful in their bid for Manchester United, it is sure to be a major moment in the history of the club. It will be the first time in over a decade that the club has changed hands, and it could signal a new era for the Red Devils. Whoever takes over the club will have a huge task ahead of them, as they look to restore the club to its former glory.
