Put on sale at the end of November, the "Red Devils" should know their suitors on Friday, presented as the deadline to submit an offer to the American bank Raine, already in charge of the sale of Chelsea last year.

For the moment, only British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe's petrochemical group Ineos has formalized its interest in the club with 20 English league titles and three Champions League titles, owned by the American Glazer family since 2005.

According to the British press, the offer from Qatar could amount to 4.5 billion pounds (5.1 billion euros).

The Manchester United logo on a bag from a customer in the club's merchandise store at Old Trafford photographed on November 23, 2022 © Oli SCARFF / AFP/Archives

In the event of a Qatari takeover, regulatory issues would arise, UEFA prohibiting two clubs with the same owner – in this case MU and PSG – from playing in the same European competition.

This argument, which could also be opposed to Ratcliffe, also owner of Nice and Lausanne, does not seem insurmountable: Salzburg and Leipzig, properties of the group of energy drinks Red Bull, have circumvented the obstacle with some pledges given to the authorities.

TV rights and world echo

According to a source with knowledge of the file, joined by AFP, the holders of the Qatari offer would be neither Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), owner of PSG, nor its parent company, the sovereign fund Qatar Investment Authority, but " a completely different background.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe warming up before the Paris SG championship match against Reims on January 29, 2023 at the Parc des Princes © Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP/Archives

There is "no risk that MU and PSG will not be able to participate in the same European competition if a company from Qatar buys the English club", insists this same source.

It will also be necessary to obtain the blank check of the Premier League, but, there again, the barrier does not seem very high.

The takeover of Newcastle in October 2021, by a consortium 80% dominated by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, had dragged on, but the main reason was a case of the Saudis hacking the broadcast of matches in the region, to the detriment of.. the Qatari channel BeIN Sport.

The human rights issue, also raised for the takeover of Newcastle, will have little effect.

The recent World Cup-2022 proved that Qatar has little to fear in terms of international reprobation.

The recent accusations of massive fraud launched by the Premier League against Manchester City could tarnish the aura of Gulf investors, but not to the point of blocking a Qatari takeover.

The interest of the Gulf countries for the Premier League, the first football championship in the world, with its gigantic broadcasting rights and its global echo, is not surprising.

"New Escalation"

But it "cannot be seen only on an economic level", underlines to AFP Danyel Reiche, associate professor on the campus of Georgetown University in Qatar.

"It is part of the objective of giving a better brand image to the countries (in the region) and as a tool for international relations", continues this sports specialist who led a study project on the World Cup-2022.

"The acquisition of Manchester United would be entirely consistent," he remarks.

The local rivalry between City and United would then become the scene of a symbolic battle between the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, two rival Gulf countries, recalls the researcher.

The bill will in any case greatly exceed the 70 million euros disbursed by QSI for PSG in 2011 or the 230 M EUR from Abu Dhabi for City in 2008.

While the Glazer had "paid" 900 M EUR - most of it had been financed by debt and charged to the club - the valuation of the "Red Devils", listed on the New York Stock Exchange, increased by 60% since they went on sale, exceeding 3.6 billion euros.

Committed only to the Europa League this season, but 3rd in the championship, the club is facing some serious challenges off the pitch: EUR 580 million in debt, EUR 345 million in transfer compensation still due and a stadium, Old Trafford, left fallow by the Glazers, to be renovated or even rebuilt.

Manchester United's stadium, Old Trafford, photographed on November 23, 2022 © Oli SCARFF / AFP/Archives

Not enough to scare Qatar, which could afford in addition to a club known throughout the world a record, that of the highest redemption in history, all sports combined.

© 2023 AFP