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LONDON. — Qatari investors are planning an incredible mega-money swoop for Manchester United and want to give manager Erik ten Hag the financial backing to lead the English Premiership football club back to the top, Sportsmail can reveal.
Sources have disclosed a group of private, high-wealth individuals based in the oil-rich state, buoyed by Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup, have set their sights on a club they view as ”football’s crown jewels”.
They will make an offer for United in the coming days, ahead of the mid-February deadline set by the Glazers, and are confident their bid will blow the competition out of the water.
Fan engagement is at the heart of their bid and they may well seek the views of supporters on the future of the stadium.
One potential stumbling block is Qatar Sports Investments’ ownership of Paris Saint-Germain. One entity cannot own two clubs in the same competition — and United and PSG could meet in Europe.
The bid for United would come from separate, individual Qatari investors. There is no interest in taking a partial stake, with only a full-blown takeover being discussed. Insiders have disclosed that the group want to use the knowledge gained from hosting the World Cup and are seeking a new project.
That would include handing Ten Hag a transfer war-chest to allow him to compete for signings with the world’s richest clubs.
”There are significant funds available,” they said. ”These people are serious. They want to make sure that United are where they should be and they are confident theirs will be the strongest bid.
”They want to strengthen the squad to put them back at the top but they also want this to be for the good of the community.
”They also want to build on the success of the World Cup. They recognise that Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world, the crown jewels, and there is a steely-minded determination to buy it and get it to where it should be.”
A successful bid would see Manchester’s two clubs on opposite sides of the Qatar-Abu Dhabi rivalry.
It would also see Qatari-owned United go up against Saudi-owned Newcastle. The Gulf neighbours are fierce rivals.
The takeover would need English Premier League approval and may face opposition in some quarters, given concerns over the country’s human rights record.
The Emir of Qatar, head of its absolute monarchy, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is a committed United fan who is well aware of the club’s history. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter