Al Thani - the son of former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani - has tabled a bid alongside British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Raine Group - the investment firm in charge of the sale of Man United on behalf of the Glazers - have set a soft deadline of 10pm today for official interest to be formalised.
A statement said: “Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today [Friday February 17] confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club.
“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.
“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.”
A successful takeover would see Man United become the third Premier League club with ownership links to the Middle East after Manchester City (Dubai) and Newcastle United (Saudi Arabia).
Here’s the reported net worth of Sheikh Jassim - compared to Newcastle, Man City and other Premier League clubs’ owners.
1. A Manchester United flag is pictured on the corner of the pitch prior to the start of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 8, 2023. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
2. 22nd: Brentford - Matthew Benham
Reported net worth: £25m Photo: Clive Rose
3. 21st: Nottingham Forest - Evangelos Marinakis
Reported net worth - £505m
4. 20th: AFC Bournemouth - Bill Foley
Reported net worth: £1bn