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Manchester United has been taken aback by claims that a deal for new investment in the Premier League giant is nearing completion.
Saudi chief Turki Al-Sheikh stirred the pot on Wednesday evening, posting on social media an 'update' that suggested United are on the brink of securing fresh investment - a revelation that left both fans and staff members surprised.
Al-Sheikh announced on his X account: "The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he's better than the previous owners."
This post from Al-Sheikh came just hours after an interview with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was published, where he gave no indication of any plans to relinquish control at Old Trafford, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Back in 2023, Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe engaged in talks with The Raine Group, who oversaw the sale of a substantial part of the club on behalf of the Glazers, with both parties maintaining a positive outlook throughout the process, reports the Mirror.
However, it was Ratcliffe who came out on top, securing a minority stake in the club. Sheikh Jassim made a bid of around £5.5 billion to gain full ownership of the club, but the Qatari was unable to provide proof of funds during the negotiation phase.
Sheikh Jassim's offer included a commitment to wipe out United's entire debt and featured a dedicated fund specifically allocated for both the club and surrounding community, although questions persisted over his reliability during the process.
No indication has emerged that Sheikh Jassim intends to return with a fresh attempt to acquire United.
Al-Sheikh has become the key figure behind 'Riyadh Season', a six-month calendar of entertainment, cultural and sporting spectacles held in Saudi Arabia's capital.
The 44 year old holds significant influence in boxing and has earned recognition for the sport's resurgence in recent times, having invested millions in orchestrating high-profile contests between rival promotional companies.
United may arrange a mid-season exhibition match abroad to enhance revenue, with Alalshikh reportedly in discussions about staging a fixture in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking about a potential mid-season exhibition to raise funds, Ruben Amorim commented: "We have to do it. We knew that when we missed Europe, and there's a lot of things [to consider].
"We have our fans, the budget. We have to compensate for a lot of things. We have to do it, so we will do it. We want to be with our fans around the world, so we will put it all together to do that. if we have to do it, we have to manage and to find the space to do it [in the schedule]."
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