Manchester United won't embark on a big-spending summer even if their proposed Qatari takeover goes through, it has been claimed.
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank, has announced a bid for a 100 per cent takeover of the club. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is among the other bidders, while hedge fund Elliott Investment Management has expressed an interest in financing a bid rather than taking over as owners themselves.
United's current owners the Glazer family sanctioned a summer of big spending, with newly-appointed manager Erik ten Hag bringing in more than £200m worth of new signings including Brazilian duo Antony and Casemiro. Ten Hag himself has spoken about the importance of finance to Premier League challengers, with his team now sitting third in the table.
According to ESPN, Sheikh Jassim is prepared to invest in the United squad if his bid is successful. However, with considerations around Financial Fair Play cited, he is expected to be "restrained" in the market to begin with.
"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 Football Club once more," a statement announcing the Qatari bid read. "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 Football Club 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.”
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After only adding loan signings in January, with Marcel Sabitzer, Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland moving to Old Trafford, Ten Hag has been tipped to offload some of his out-of-favour players. Club captain Harry Maguire is one of the Man Utd men linked with a summer exit, with sales potentially helping free up funds for new arrivals.
“For a long time, I think the Premier League was always a two-horse race. But now I think it’s a six, seven, eight-horse race, the former Ajax boss said earlier in February. "It’s about strategy - but also, of course, it’s about finance.
“I am here to manage the team, to get the best out of them, and of course, I have a job in bringing the right players in. I have to be in debate with the management of the club about this, the board of the club - and we have a lot of communication about it.
“But I’m not here for the finance. I’m here to achieve sporting aims and goals. So I am calm in the (current) situation. I’m planning and I always try to go for the best we can get - but also we have to have a plan B.”
