Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has already contacted several Manchester United legends over potential roles at the club under his ownership, according to reports. The Qatari bidder has identified a significant issue within the current Old Trafford hierarchy that he is keen to correct.
According to ESPN, Sheikh Jassim is keen to offer United’s biggest icons from the Sir Alex Ferguson era the chance to take up senior roles.
If his takeover bid succeeds, he wants to emulate fellow European heavyweights like AC Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid in utilising the club’s greatest players. Sheikh Jassim is said to view the absence of such names in United’s hierarchy as a significant issue, which he is determined to address.
The proposal would welcome stars from the Class of 92 all the way to the 2008 Champions League-winning team, such as Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, to get back involved in prominent roles.
And the report claims his representatives have already approached for discussion, which suggests Sheikh Jassim is not only confident of the plan but also of his chances of buying United from the Glazers.
Ferguson is said to have rallied for club legends to become executives after his 2013 retirement. However, the Glazers have barely taken that advice as their unpopular 18-year tenure as owners potentially nears its conclusion.
Bryan Robson, Denis Irwin and Andrew Cole have taken up ceremonial ambassador positions with the Red Devils, but technical director Darren Fletcher is the only alum member in a senior role.
Therefore, the fanbase would likely welcome Sheikh Jassim’s proposal if he is United’s new owner next season. ESPN add that a preferred buyer is expected to be made known within days, around two weeks after the Raine Group’s April 28 deadline for third and final offers.
Sheikh Jassim is up against British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who plans to buy just over 50 per cent of United to take majority ownership.
However, his bid would allow Joel and Avram to keep around 20 per cent of their stake, while siblings Bryan, Edward, Kevin and Darcie Glazer Kassewitz plan to offload theirs.
They could also still opt for minority investment, which would see them retain control of United while receiving funding for the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the club’s Carrington training base.
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