It looks like there’s been a brief from Qatar.
And, make of it whatever you will, but it has landed right on the desk at ESPN.
Sources have told Mark Ogden that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani intends to offer Manchester United’s greatest players from Sir Alex Ferguson’s most successful teams the chance to return to Old Trafford in prominent roles.
Of course, Sheikh Jassim will need to win the race to buy the club before he introduces anything like this, but it’s telling that these briefs are starting to roll out.
While it doesn’t answer any of the questions we have about the takeover, it would suggest that Qatar are confident. The feeling could be mutual on Sir Jim Ratcliffe/INEO’s side because it will depend on the noise being made by Raine Group and the Glazer family.
Ogden reports: “Such a move would open the door for high-profile players from United’s 1999 Treble winners, including the ‘Class of 92’ group of home-grown stars such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, and leading figures from the club’s most recent Champions League-winning team of 2008, to represent the club at various levels.”
Apparently Sheikh Jassim believes there are ways to take advantage of the profile and experience of former greats. He may have a point since the Glazers were happy to let Ed Woodward make football decisions for years.
It is also noted in the report that players from the 2008 squad have already been approached by representatives of Sheikh Jassim.
All bidders are waiting on a response from Raine Group after the third round of bidding.
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