Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos make bid for Manchester United, making Britain's richest man one of two confirmed bidders after Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani revealed Qatar's £4.5 billion offer.

 

Qatar has submitted a CONFIRM bid for Manchester United, with Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the UK-educated chairman of one of the country's largest banks, vowing to invest in the club, stadium, and training ground.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has confirmed making a bid for Manchester United.

The bid was made 'for 100% of Manchester United' and is 'debt-free.'

Follow the action LIVE as the deadline for investors to finalize bids approaches.

A Qatari sheikh - chairman of one of the country's biggest banks - on Friday night lodged a bid for Manchester United, promising to restore 'former glories on and off the pitch'.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani, the son of a former Prime Minister, announced his intention to buy '100% of the club' before Friday night's 10 p.m. deadline for offers.

The offer is understood to be 'indicative'. After the financials have been reviewed, a more accurate figure will be provided.

Following the release of the statement, there was cautious optimism inside Old Trafford.

The spending approach would not be reckless, but there is an acknowledgement that investment on the playing side is required.

Qatar has made a bid for Manchester United, promising to restore the club's "glories on and off the field."

Bidding closes at 10 p.m. tonight, with the Glazers seeking between £4 billion and £6 billion.

Last week, Sportsmail revealed that a bid would be made, and Al Thani stated boldly that he would invest in the club, the stadium, the training ground, and the community.

'The bid's vision is for Manchester United Football Club to be known for footballing excellence and to be regarded as the greatest football club in the world,' he added.

The race for the Premier League giants has reached a critical juncture.

While Raine Group, the US merchant bank in charge of the process, has remained tight-lipped, it is expected that Al Thani, the son of ex-PM Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, will face competition from bidders in the United States, Asia, and possibly neighboring Saudi Arabia. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the richest man in the United Kingdom, has also announced that he will bid.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who bid for Chelsea last year, is also expected to make a bid for the club.

Sheikh Hamad Bin-Jaber al-Thani, also a foreign minister, led the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) in the 2000s, when stakes in Canary Wharf, the Shard, Chelsea Barracks, and the Berkeley and Connaught hotels were acquired.

While ten Hag would be armed with a massive transfer budget, there would also be a strong emphasis on the youth system, according to this newspaper. It is also understood that if the offer is accepted, investment in the surrounding area will be considered.

Those who submitted bids will now be narrowed down to serious contenders before the sale, which officials hope to complete by the end of next month.

Erik ten Hag spoke about the deal yesterday, following a 2-2 tie with Barcelona in the Europa League.

The manager stated that the players and the club are aware of it but are focused on football.

'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,' Al Thani said in a statement. The bid will be debt-free thanks to Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation, which will invest in the football teams, the training center, the stadium and surrounding infrastructure, the fan experience, and the communities the club supports. The bid envisions Manchester United Football Club becoming known for footballing excellence and being regarded as the greatest football club in the world.'

The foundation's name is inspired by both United's iconic Class of 92 and the fact that Al Thani began supporting the club as a 10-year-old in 1992.

The saga is the talk of the Old Trafford dressing room, with manager Erik ten Hag revealing yesterday that he and his players were keeping a close eye on the situation.

Ten Hag stated that his team is 'enjoying their togetherness' as they prepare for the EFL Cup Final on Sunday.

Ten Hag has been kept up to date on developments by United CEO Richard Arnold, and has already been informed that a takeover would free up more transfer funds.

'We're following it because it's our club,' Ten Hag said. 'Of course, we are committed, but our focus is on football, on training and our style of play, and on games.

Ten Hag's side, who drew 2-2 at Barcelona in the Europa League on Thursday night, are on a good run and currently sit third in the table, five points behind City.

After falling behind 1-0, Marcus Rashford scored again to tie the game.

'We are currently enjoying our togetherness,' he added. 'It's really enjoyable to work and we are focusing on games and we are in four competitions. Others in the club will have to make decisions and put in effort, but it is not up to us.'

The Dutchman stated that he was kept up to date on the potential sale.

'They (the club) informed me about the process from the beginning. I concentrate on football, while they concentrate on other aspects of the club, such as how to finance everything.'

The Glazers, the club's owners, are also interested in investing in exchange for a minority stake. However, it is believed that a full sale is most likely, with those behind the Qatari bid confident of victory.