British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has submitted a bid to buy Manchester United through his chemicals company INEOS, according to reports.
Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan, will be up against Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Al Thani.
Qatar Islamic Bank chairman Al Thani, who is the son of a former Qatari prime minister, earlier confirmed he tabled an offer that will not carry any debt and vowed to reinvest all profits during his stewardship back into the club or community.
Al Thani's offer was made public roughly two hours before an apparent 'soft deadline' of 22:00 GMT on Friday, though the exact figure on the table was not revealed.
Ratcliffe had previously been the first to formally lodge an interest last month after the incumbent owners – the Glazer family – announced in November the club had been put up for sale.
The Telegraph quoted a source close to INEOS as saying: "His aim is to be a long-term custodian of Manchester United and set the standard for a progressive approach to club ownership.
"As locally born, he wants to put the Manchester back into Manchester United."
The Glazers have been deeply unpopular among supporters during their 18 years as stewards, predominantly down to their initial takeover coming in the form of a leveraged buyout, which saddled the club with huge debts.
In United's most recent financial figures, released in September, the club revealed their net debt increased from £419.5million to £514.9m in the year up to June 30, 2022.
Speculation over the past few months has run wild with regard to prospective buyers, with Elon Musk, Apple, Jeff Bezos, and a Saudi Arabian consortium all credited with varying degrees of interest.
But talk of Ratcliffe and a separate Qatari-backed bid had long gathered the most traction in the media, and it is the former many United fans are thought to favour.
Ratcliffe's company INEOS already owns Ligue 1 side Nice and has been routinely linked with Premier League clubs in recent years, even tabling an offer for Chelsea in 2022 prior to their sale to Todd Boehly and his Clearlake consortium.
His long-held affinity for United is an understandable positive for fans hoping for a return of the glory days.
Though, for many fans, siding with Ratcliffe comes as much from a place of uncertainty due to the Qatari bid's potential ties to Qatar's state.
The 2022 World Cup host nation has been widely derided for its human rights record ever since being given that tournament in 2010.
Howe lauds Slot's impact at Liverpool but insists title race not over
Eddie Howe lauded the impact of Arne Slot with Premier League leaders Liverpool, though insists the title race is far from over ahead of Newcastle United's meeting on Wednesday.
Liverpool are nine points clear at the summit heading into the midweek action, having dispatched Manchester City with a 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.
That opened up an 11-point gap between the Reds and Pep Guardiola's defending champions, yet Howe believes the title battle is far from over in December.
"No, I think nothing is ever secure or done until it's done," said Howe. "The Premier League is known for twists and turns, so who knows what's going to happen.
"I think they're a team at the moment playing with full confidence, they've still got the hallmark of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
"But Arne has now had his time with the team and tweaked certain things, that makes them a very difficult proposition because they've added new strengths."
Newcastle were defeated 2-0 at home by West Ham before a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last Saturday.
Slot believes travelling to Newcastle will pose a tougher test than facing Real Madrid, however, having defeated Los Blancos last week in the Champions League.
"We know we have a difficult week coming up again," Slot said.
"We thought Madrid and City were very difficult teams to face, which they actually were as well. I think it’s even harder going away to Newcastle.
"We're not even halfway through the season yet."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Newcastle United – Alexander Isak
Fitness permitting if Alexander Isak can shake off a knock suffered at Palace, the Sweden striker will be key to any home hopes here.
The Newcastle forward has 21 goals in 30 home Premier League appearances, although he has only scored twice from 18 attempts at St James' Park this season.
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah stole the show once more against City, scoring from the penalty spot and assisting Cody Gakpo's opener.
The Liverpool star has also been involved in 14 Premier League goals against Newcastle (eight goals, six assists), with these coming in his last 13 appearances against them.
MATCH PREDICTION – LIVERPOOL WIN
Liverpool are firm favourites for this one considering they have won each of their last six meetings with Newcastle in the Premier League.
The Magpies are winless in the last 15 top-flight meetings overall (D4 L11), while Liverpool have won five of their last six league visits to St. James' Park.
Indeed, the Reds' three-match winning streak on the road against Newcastle is their longest such streak against Wednesday's hosts in the competition.
Expect drama, too, given Liverpool have won 11 Premier League games in which they have trailed against Newcastle, the most comeback wins one side has against another in the competition's history.
To make matters worse for the hosts, they have won just one of their last 26 Premier League meetings against sides starting the day top of the table (D7 L18), a feat which could continue here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Newcastle United win – 26.2%
Draw – 23.6%
Liverpool win – 50.2%
Arteta already sees Amorim influence on Man Utd
Mikel Arteta feels Ruben Amorim's influence is already visible in Manchester United's play, ahead of Arsenal facing the Red Devils in a huge matchup on Wednesday.
United have one win and one draw from two Premier League matches under the former Sporting CP coach, drawing 1-1 at Ipswich Town before crushing Everton 4-0.
On Wednesday, the United boss will face his toughest test yet as United visit the Emirates Stadium, where they have lost on seven of their last nine Premier League visits (one win, one draw), losing on their last three.
Last Sunday's comprehensive victory over Everton was the biggest ever managed by a permanent United boss in their first home league match at the helm.
They registered 59.9% possession, 630 total passes and three big chances in that match, with all of those figures bettering their per-game averages under former boss Erik ten Hag this term (52.2% possession, 494 passes and 2.9 big chances).
Arteta has been impressed by the swift nature of Amorim's impact, saying at Tuesday's pre-match press conference: "You can see his fingerprints already in how he wants to play.
"You know what he wants to do straight away, I think he's been very clear. He's been very successful with Sporting.
"It's remarkable after so many years what he achieved there, especially in the way he did it and the way his teams have been playing.
"He brings energy to the club, to the players, new ideas and that's always something that's positive.
"We focus on ourselves. We're on a good run and have good momentum. It will be a big and beautiful match against United."
Arsenal are currently trailing pacesetters Liverpool by nine points at the Premier League summit, with United six points further back in ninth place.
However, Arteta still thinks plenty of teams could catch Arne Slot's Reds – including United.
"We're still very early in the season. Any team that has the capacity to put wins in a row has a chance," the Spaniard said. "I think anything is possible."
Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-2 last time out, with Bukayo Saka scoring a penalty and laying on two assists.
Saka has now provided 10 assists in Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games this season – only Harry Kane (11 in 2020-21), Cesc Fabregas (12 in 2014-15) and Mesut Ozil (12 in 2015-16) have reached double figures fewer games into a team's Premier League campaign.
Arteta feels the England international has made a visible step up this season, saying: "In terms of the numbers, yes.
"We see a shift from Bukayo every single year. He's more and more consistent. He can only improve and only get better. He wants more."
Arsenal draw holders Manchester United in FA Cup third round
Arsenal have drawn Manchester United at home in the third round of the FA Cup.
Record 14-time winners Arsenal were paired with holders – and 13-time winners – United in the pick of the ties in Monday's draw.
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will host Salford City, who are owned by Man United's famed 'Class of 92'.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and fellow Premier League big boys Chelsea will host fourth-tier sides Accrington Stanley and Morecambe respectively.
The draw for the #EmiratesFACup third round is complete
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) December 2, 2024
One of the pick of the third-round ties, due to be played over the weekend of 11 January, will see Tamworth welcome Tottenham.
The only other non-league side still remaining, Dagenham & Redbridge, will go to Championship club Millwall.
League Two strugglers Bromley have a plum away tie at Newcastle United, meanwhile, and Premier League high-flyers Brighton and Hove Albion travel to Norwich City.
Aston Villa versus West Ham is the only other all-Premier League tie aside from Arsenal against Man United.
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