Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani has increased his offer to buy Manchester United, submitting a new and improved bid on Tuesday, 17 May.
The Qatari prince and banker entered a world-record bid to buy the club during the third round of deliberations which ended in April but is said to have now elevated his offer to between £5-5.5 billion, with Raine Group receiving the improved proposal on Tuesday morning.
Whilst this figure is still short of the Glazer family’s £6bn valuation, it is now thought to be the strongest offer and comes after a number of reports that main takeover rival, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS Group, were leading the race thanks to a revised offer of their own.
This is Sheikh Jassim‘s fourth bid overall, with the buyout process officially beginning back in February and the third round of bidding concluding on 28 April. Should this improved offer be accepted, it will be for 100% control of the club and will see their debt cleared.
BREAKING: Qatar's Sheikh Jassim has made an improved offer to buy 100% of Manchester United 💰pic.twitter.com/H9vjW8yHzS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2023
Part of the reason Ratcliffe was said to be the favourite to secure Man United’s sale was that his offer reportedly offered the Glazers a chance to remain part of the club by allowing them to keep a 20% minority stake.
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However, United fans have made their feelings more than clear: they want a full sale only and for the Glazers to sever all ties with the club. Since acquiring the Red Devils through a controversial leveraged buyout back in 2005, the club has now accrued £969.6m in debt as of March 2023.
Moreover, part of the concerns surrounding the alternate bid is that although the Failsworth-born businessman is a billionaire and has experience overseeing sports franchises as the owner of OGC Nice and Team Sky cycling, it is thought he may not be able to fully finance the takeover himself.
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On the other hand, with virtually an entire nation’s sovereign wealth behind him, Sheikh Jassim’s bid won’t require any borrowing and beyond clearing the club’s debt, is said to include separate funds to spend on the club, help redevelop the stadium and training ground, as well as invest in the community.
Financing aside, the only thing seemingly standing in Sheikh Jassim’s way is the controversy surrounding Qatar’s human rights record which became ever more prominent following the World Cup and whether or not the current American owners are enticed by the possibility of keeping some stake in the club.
At present, the Glazers have given no indication as to when a deal might be accepted or if the last two offers will indeed be the final round of bidding — revised offers from both of the frontrunners would suggest otherwise.
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Nevertheless, supporters are remaining vocal that the Glazers’ time is up and they want rid, especially with the football back on the up under Erik ten Hag.
If this doesn’t sum up the lasting sentiment they’d like to part on, we don’t know what does:
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
17th May 2023 
