Man Utd takeover: Bids from Qatar and Sir Jim Ratcliffe through to next stage of process

Bids to buy Manchester United from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are into the next stage of the process, sources have confirmed to 90min.

United have been put up for sale by the Glazer family, though as 90min reported earlier this week, they will not sell for less than their £6bn asking price.

That said, 90min can confirm that at least two bids – one from Sheikh Jassim and one from INEOS CEO Ratcliffe – have made it through to the next stage. They are not necessarily leading the race to buy the club, however.

All parties whose offers have reached the next stage will now meet with American investment bank Raine Group, who are managing the sale of the club. Interested parties are expected to be welcomed to Old Trafford later this month.

They will then be allowed to view detailed financial information ahead of making firmer bids to buy United.

Both Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe claim to be fans of United, though the former has notably put in a debt-free bid. He was said to be considering attending last week’s Carabao Cup final but ultimately decided against it considering the circumstances.

Ratcliffe, meanwhile, has experience in running a football team as he is currently the owner of Ligue 1 side OGC Nice.