God forbid: Sheikh Jassim REJECTS opportunity for fresh takeover of Man United

Manchester United is once again the subject of takeover speculation. 

Just 18 months after Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group secured a £1.25 billion deal for a 25 per cent stake, a little-known "drag-along right" clause has quietly activated, potentially reopening the door for a full sale. 

This development, first reported by Daily Mail, and also reported by The Mirror, has left many fans wondering if the Glazer family's 20-year ownership is finally coming to an end, and whether a new Qatari bid could be on the horizon.

The news of the 'drag-along right' has inevitably led to questions about Sheikh Jassim and his Qatari-backed consortium, who were Ratcliffe's main rivals in the public bidding process last year.

The clause, which came into effect on August 13, is a common feature in business agreements and is designed to prevent minority shareholders from blocking a sale that the majority shareholders wish to go through. 

In this case, it would allow the Glazers to sell their majority stake, and potentially force INEOS to sell its shares as well. 

While Sheikh Jassim is said to be aware of the clause, sources close to the Qatari camp have told Daily Mail that he has "zero interest" in reviving his bid. 

Instead, they are said to be focusing on other "mega projects," including an attempt to host the 2036 Olympic Games. 

This suggests that the Qatari group has walked away from the idea of buying a Premier League club altogether, with one insider telling the Mail: 

"Things have changed and the project would be seen as even more difficult now for a few reasons, not least because there's a belief the standard of the Premier League has improved and it would be more difficult to turn things around."

The quiet nature of this new development is perhaps unsurprising given the strong working relationship that has reportedly developed between INEOS and the Glazers. 

Since taking over football operations, INEOS has invested heavily in the club, including a significant restructuring of the business and a £50 million upgrade to the Carrington training ground. 

A source speaking to Daily Mail stated, "Sir Jim has put in $300m [£223m] of his own money... It has been a very long time since someone has put some money into Manchester United rather than take it out." 

This level of commitment and investment has seemingly impressed the American family, who are said to believe INEOS has carried out the "necessary dirty work" to create a foundation for a return to the top of English football.

Despite a disappointing opening-day defeat to Arsenal, optimism is reportedly high within the club's inner circle for the 2025/26 campaign under new manager Ruben Amorim. 

The Portuguese tactician, who was prized away from Sporting CP in November 2024 , has been given significant backing in the transfer market, with the club spending £197.2 million this summer on new players. 

While the results have been mixed so far, there is a belief that Amorim is addressing long-standing tactical issues, and his leadership, along with the new management structure, is finally steering the club in the right direction.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, INEOS is also pushing ahead with plans to renovate the Old Trafford area, including a new 100,000-seater stadium, a project that was put into place earlier this year.