Manchester United supporters have endured a difficult relationship with Ineos since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority takeover in February 2024
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Sheikh Jassim
Sheikh Jassim(Image: jbh_al.thani)
Former Manchester United takeover hopeful Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani has already shown he will not be pursuing another move for the club despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos' controversial start at Old Trafford.
There was a groundswell of support for Ratcliffe to take over the club when it at first seemed like he would be completing a full takeover from the Glazers. However, when it became clear that the Glazers would be remaining and Ratcliffe would be looking to complete a minority purchase, opinion soon shifted.
Sheikh Jassim was the only candidate looking to complete a full takeover and with the Glazers unwilling to relinquish power entirely, Ratcliffe was able to shake on a deal. Having taken over the sporting element of the club, Ineos have become a controversial group among supporters.
The decision to rehome approximately 500 season ticket holders for next season sparked protests while their cost-cutting measures stoked fury among some sections of the fanbase. This has raised its head again after Ruben Amorim was forced to step in to allow staff members and their families the chance to go to the Europa League final in Bilbao after Ineos were planning not to fund their travel.
There have also been reports that there will not be an open-top bus parade if United beat Tottenham Hotspur in the final and that celebrations for the squad will be modest with a BBQ planned at Carrington, according to the BBC. Unsurprisingly, this has led some fans to hope for Sheikh Jassim to come in again and try to purchase the club but his mind, at present, seems set.
Not too long after Ratcliffe completed his purchase of a stake in United, Sheikh Jassim dissolved Nine Two UK Holdings Ltd in confirmation that his United dream was over at the time. The company, which listed both Sheikh Jassim and Abdulrahman Al-Ansari as company directors, was set up to take over United.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Minority Shareholder of Manchester United, looks on from the stands prior to the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe joined Manchester United in February 2024
The name was chosen due to the link to the Class of '92 but once it became clear that the takeover race was run, the company was dissolved as there was no purpose left for it. If Sheikh Jassim was to relaunch a bid for United, his first step would be to reopen Nine Two UK Holdings Ltd but until that point, his involvement in the club remains unlikely.
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