Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani has submitted a second Fergie time ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ offer believed to be no more than £6bn.
The Qatari banker, who has been locked in an ownership contest with Ineos’ Jim Ratcliffe for months, has given Friday as his deadline for the bid to be accepted.
Manchester United was put on sale by the Glazer family in November last year, signalling the beginning of the end of its 18-year tenure at the Premier League club.
Hamad al-Thani, alongside Ratcliffe, have been the two favourites to buy the club from the outset.
While the Qatari offer is for a 100% takeover, Ratcliffe is supposedly intent on purchasing a majority stake, allowing the Glazers to retain some control.
Reports over the weekend suggested that Ratcliffe was leading the race, with the Glazers wanting to keep some control of the club.
This is the second 'Fergie Time' bid made by Sheikh al-Thani.
Earlier this month, it was reported that he made an improved offer at around £5.5bn, which included the clearance of the £1bn debt and a fund solely for the club and surrounding community.