INEOS has announced that British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has tabled an official bid to secure 'majority ownership' of Manchester United.
The chemical giant, who currently owns French club OGC Nice, among other assets, released a statement shortly after midday on Saturday to confirm that Ratcliffe had submitted an official offer. The 'soft deadline' for prospective buyers to submit their offers to the Raine Group, who are overseeing the sale of United on behalf of the Glazers, was 10pm on Friday evening.
Just under two hours before that deadline, it was confirmed that Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani had submitted a bid. Al Thani is the chairman of one of Qatar's biggest banks - Qatar Islamic Bank - and has plans to gain full control of the club.
