MANCHESTER UNITED'S takeover is in full swing with two bids confirmed before the 'soft' deadline.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani promised to make the club debt free if his huge offer succeeds.
He said his aim is to "return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch".
And Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also put in a late offer to rival Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani's £5billion approach.
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- Henry Tomlinson
United 'monitoring' Roma star
Man United are reportedly monitoring former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham's situation at Roma, according to 90min.
The Englishman has been tipped with a return to England after a successful spell in the Italian capital.
Both Man United and Aston Villa have been linked with his signature.
For Roma he has scored 34 goals in 83 appearances in all competitions.
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
United 'serious contenders' for duo
Man United could become one of the favourites to sign star players Jude Bellingham and Victor Osimhen, according to Sky Sports.
The club have seen bids be made for a full takeover from the Glazers, including a £5billion bid from Qatari investors.
If their bid is successful then they are said to become 'serious contenders' in the race for the exciting duo.
- Henry Tomlinson
Rodgers praise for United
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Man United's summer signings this week but did admit he was thankful that Casemiro is suspended for their match on Sunday.
He said: “I look at Man United and see the introduction of new players.
“(Christian) Eriksen, (Lisandro) Martinez, and Casemiro is a world-class player. He’s calm, he has quality. Thankfully for us, he’s suspended.
“He’s given them a stabilising effect. Erik (ten Hag) and his team, they’ve given them good organisation.
“Then they have a collective group. They are up there competing and played a good game last night.”
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- James Orr
What happens if Qatar own Man Utd and PSG at same time?
There are no restrictions on an owner acquiring multiple clubs at the same time in different countries.
For example, the owners of Manchester City also own another 10 football teams around the world.
That means the Qatari group that already own Paris Saint-Germain – Qatar Sports Investment – could own Manchester United.
However there is a stumbling block as both team could not play in the Champions League in the same season, to protect the "integrity of the competition".
- Giacomo Pisa
Good morning Man United fans
Last night the 'soft' deadline past for prospective buyers of the club passed.
There was confirmation that a Qatari investment group had made a £5billion bid for 100 per cent control of the club.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the Gulf state’s ruling Royal family vowed to “return the club to its former glories”.
Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe also confirmed his rival bid.
United fan Ratcliffe reportedly told the global bank overseeing bids to buy out the Glazers that he wants ownership for the long haul.
He added that he has Wall Street backing.
The Red Devils are back in Premier League action tomorrow as they face Leicester City.
Erik Ten Hag will be forced to continue without long-term absentees Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek.
The quartet of Anthony Martial, Anthony, Phil Jones and Scott McTominay are also likely to miss the Leicester clash.
Casemiro remains suspended for the red card he picked up against Crystal Palace.
- Henry Tomlinson
United chief faces AXE
Man United CEO Richard Arnold reportedly faces the sack from the club should the Qatari investors be successful in their bid to take over the club.
Arnold only took the position last year as he replaced Ed Woodward.
According to L’Equipe, Hassan Al Thawadi and Nasser al-Khater are being touted as potential replacements.
Credit: AFP - Henry Tomlinson
MASON MEET-UP
Man United striker Mason Greenwood has secretly met up with some of his teammates after attempted rape charges were dropped.
The 21-year-old is keen to rekindle relationships with them in a bid to resurrect his Old Trafford career.
He remains unable to play for United or train with the squad while an internal investigation is under way.
But a source said: “He’s reached out to some of the United players, some of them he’s known since his academy days.
"They’ve met up with him in private to hear him out so they can make their own mind up.”
Greenwood also reached out via social media to other term-mates, some older and married with kids.
FULL STORY HERE
- Henry Tomlinson
Barca make penalty claim
Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff believes his side should have had a penalty against Man United.
He told Mundo Deportivo: "They looked like hands to us. When four or five players who are on the pitch have an instant reaction, you know there’s something.
"The surprising thing is that they haven’t even gone to look. We can’t complain, we keep working.
"Both teams have had their moment of dominance and in the end I think it’s a pretty fair result, although perhaps in the last 15 minutes we were 3-2.
"I’m happy because away goals aren’t worth double, like before. That makes us start again at 0-0. For a neutral spectator, it’s great fun. The team has had character. I think we can win at Old Trafford."
- Henry Tomlinson
United 'over the moon' with youngster
Man United are believed to be thrilled with the progress Alvaro Fernandez has made on his loan spell at Preston North End.
Manager Ryan Lowe, speaking to Lancs Live, said: "He's a young kid, isn't he?
"In terms of the games he's played for us and the minutes he's played for us, I know Man United are absolutely over the moon with it.
"Because he is a good player, but he's still young, naïve and we still have to tactically tell him what to do and what not to do. Even at the end there, he's asking if he should jump or not.
"His awareness, defending, has got a lot better and it's a learning process for Alvaro. When he plays and performs the way he can, he's a very good player.
"The rotation we have, with him and Robbie [Brady] – we have a youngster who can be on the front foot and then a bit more experience defensively and offensively. So, it's a good battle between the two of them and we feel either can do the job required when picked."
Credit: Getty
- Henry Tomlinson
More on Qatar bid
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani promised to make the club debt free if his offer of around £5billion succeeds.
The former Qatar Prime Minister said his aim is to "return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch".
The bid to buyout the Glazers has raised questions as Qatar Sports Investment already own Paris Saint-Germain.
That means United and PSG could not both enter the Champions League – unless ownership of the two clubs was shown to be entirely separate.
- Henry Tomlinson
Qatar's United bid MADE
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani, the chairman of one of Qatar's biggest banks has confirmed that a bid has been made to buy Manchester United.
He said in a statement: “Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club.
“The bid plans to return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.
“The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the Club supports.
“The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
“More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.”
The bid has gone in before the 10pm 'soft' deadline tonight.
- Henry Tomlinson
United 'in battle' for Mount
Manchester United are reportedly set 'to go head to head' with Liverpool for the signing of Mason Mount.
The Chelsea star is currently uncertain over his future at the club with his contract winding down.
According to ESPN, United see the England international as a potential replacement for flop Donny van der Beek.
Mount would also count as a homegrown player which would help United fill their quota.
Credit: Getty - Henry Tomlinson
United 'prepare' Osimhen offer
Man United are reportedly preparing an over in excess of £107million, according to Calciomercato.
Osimhen has become one of the most prolific strikers in Serie A, scoring 17 goals in 18 games this season.
United will have to beat some of Europe's top clubs for his signature, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich linked with the Nigerian star.
- Henry Tomlinson
Where to watch?
Man United's clash with the Foxes will be televised in the UK.
All the details:
- Manchester United vs Leicester will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
- Coverage is set to commence from 1pm GMT on Sky Sports Premier League – one hour before kick-off.
- Fans can head to NOW TV to stream the entire action.
- Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute coverage of the match.
FOX HUNT
Man United and Leicester kick off Sunday's Premier League action with a tasty affair at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils return to English top-flight football fresh from a scintillating 2-2 Europa League draw with Barcelona.
When is Man Utd vs Leicester?
- Manchester United entertain Leicester on Sunday, February 19.
- It is scheduled to get underway at 2pm GMT.
- Old Trafford is the allocated arena for this tasty Premier League encounter and it can host around 74,310 fans.
- Jadon Sancho's goal was enough to see United snatch all three points when the sides last met in September.
- Henry Tomlinson
Fans vote for Jim
Man United fans have voted for their preferred option for the club takeover.
And, in a tight race, supporters have told SunSport that they would prefer British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to takeover the club from the Glazers.
The deadline for bids for the club is tonight at 10pm and there has been a host of interest.
Ratcliffe has made his desire to own the Old Trafford outfit since before the Glazers put the club up for sale.
And, as a fellow supporter of the club, 45.75 per cent of fans have voted in favour of him running the club.
The Brit has experience in football as he is the current owner of Ligue 1 side OCG Nice.
FULL STORY HERE
- Henry Tomlinson
QAT OUT THE BAG
Deadline day is upon those who are interested in taking over Manchester United.
Interest from a number of parties has been revealed ahead of Froday's 10pm cut-off point, most notably from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatar.
Qatar's bid in particular has raised questions, given how Qatar Sports Investment already own Paris Saint-Germain.
UEFA rules stipulate "no individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition".
However, one incoming United bid from Qatar is set to come from a different entity, therefore satisfying Uefa chiefs that no rules are broken.
As reported by L'Equipe, the entity in question is a former Prime Minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, cousin of the father of the current Emir of Qatar and owner of PSG, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
FULL STORY HERE
Credit: AFP or licensors - Henry Tomlinson
TAXI FOR GARNACHO
Alejandro Garnacho was spotted arriving for Manchester United training on Friday in the back seat of an Uber.
The Red Devils reported for duty at their Carrington HQ just hours after the 2-2 draw at Barcelona in the Europa League.
And Argentine winger Garnacho, 18, arrived for training in the back seat of a taxi.
His mode of transport will please legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ex-Old Trafford ace Wes Brown recently admitted Fergie was furious when he found out the defender once "had a fight on a bus going home" instead of getting a taxi.
FULL STORY HERE
Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke - Henry Tomlinson
Foxes set for fitness boost
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he could have Youri Tielemans, Boubakary Soumare and James Maddison in his team to face Manchester United.
He said: "Bouba’s trained all week. Youri is back in training too, so both are available for the game. Everyone’s clearing up now. The squad’s looking strong.
"James is fine."
However, Rodgers did add that former United star Johnny Evans will miss the game.
He said: "He's trained well. [Evans is] still a bit of time away. We were hoping he’d be back but he’s still struggling a wee bit with his thigh."
- Henry Tomlinson
More from Ten Hag
The United boss also insisted that he is not thinking about being in a title fight, despite closing the game on Arsenal.
He said: "We don't think about that so far.
"What we have to do is put us in April in the right position, so our thinking can only be on the next game and how we can be better than we were in the previous game.
"We have to think about going from game to game to help us put the right energy and focus in."
Credit: PA - Henry Tomlinson
Ten Hag focused on football
Erik ten Hag has admitted that he is only thinking about what is happening on the pitch amid talk of the club takeover.
Prospective owners will have to submit their bids by tonight's 10pm deadline.
But while change may be happening behind the scenes, the Dutchman is focused.
When asked if he had spoken to Richard Arnold or any of the Glazer family about the takeover, he said: "No. I must say from the start, yeah, they told me how the process is going.
"But I will focus on football and they are focusing on other parts and departments of the club.
"How to get everything, for instance, financed.''
- Kiro Evans
Friends Re-United
Sir Alex Ferguson bumped into Nani last night as the manager reunited with the ex-winger at the Nou Camp.
The Portuguese star was signed by Fergie in 2007 and, while not always consistent, did have a habit of lighting up the Premier League with outstanding goals.
Nani won multiple Premier League trophies at Old Trafford along with the 2008 Champions League - Kiro Evans
On Fire
Marcus Rashford has scored 14 times since club football restarted after the World Cup, a number matched by no other player.
Only Monaco's Wissam Ben Yedder and Man City's Erling Haaland come close with nine goals following the Qatar tournament.
Marcus Rashford is arguably the most in-form player in the world - Kiro Evans
Focusing on Football
Erik ten Hag has insisted he nor his players are being distracted by takeover rumours circulating around the club.
A soft deadline of 10pm has been put forward for potential bidders looking to take the club off the unpopular Glazer family.
But ten Hag said: "We are following it [the takeover], it is our club and of course we are committed, but we are focusing on football, on training, on our way of playing, on games and that is what we are focusing on.
"And we are really enjoying it at the moment, with togetherness, and it is enjoyable to work. Yeah, we are focusing on games, we have four leagues [competitions]. So others in the club will have to take decisions and give efforts in that process, but it is not up to us."
- Kiro Evans
Rashford Really?
Eye-opening reports this morning have suggested that Arsenal have their sights on Marcus Rashford.
The in-form star is out of contract in June 2024 and the Gunners are believed to be monitoring the situation.
Whether the Gunners could actually land the England international is another issue.
The 25-year-old boasts 14 goals in his last 16 games in all competitions and is widely seen as among Man United’s best prospects.
With both clubs currently enjoying their best season in years, it would take some effort from Arsenal to extricate Rashford from his boyhood club.
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