Man Utd's private response after Saudi chief Turki Al-Sheikh's takeover bombshell

Manchester United have been left surprised at claims that a deal to bring fresh investment into the Premier League giants was at an advanced stage.

On Wednesday night, Saudi chief Turki Al-Sheikh posted on social media suggesting United are close to securing new investment - with supporters and staff members both taken aback at the 'update'.

Posting on his X account, Al-Sheikh declared: "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."

Al-Sheikh's post emerged just hours after an interview with United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was published, in which he offered no hint of plans to surrender control at Old Trafford, reports the Manchester Evening News.

In 2023, Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe held discussions with The Raine Group, who managed the sale of a significant portion of the club on behalf of the Glazers, with both parties expressing optimism throughout proceedings.

READ MORE: Man Utd takeover: How much Glazers would want to sell to Saudi and Turki Al-Sheikh

READ MORE: Mega-rich Turki Al-Sheikh's colossal net worth after bombshell Man Utd takeover message

Nevertheless, Ratcliffe emerged victorious and secured a minority shareholding. Sheikh Jassim submitted a bid of approximately £5.5billion to secure complete ownership of the club, but the Qatari failed to demonstrate proof of funds during negotiations.

Sheikh Jassim's proposal featured a pledge to eliminate all of United's debt and incorporated a separate fund earmarked exclusively for the club and the local community, though his credibility remained questionable throughout proceedings.

There has been no suggestion that Sheikh Jassim will make a return with a renewed bid for United. Al-Sheikh has emerged as the driving force behind 'Riyadh Season', a six-month programme of entertainment, cultural and sporting events staged in the Saudi Arabian capital.

The 44-year-old plays a major role in boxing and has won plaudits for the sport's revival in recent years, having pumped millions into organising spectacular bouts between competing promotions.

United could stage a mid-season friendly overseas to boost income and Alalshikh is understood to be currently engaged in talks about hosting a match in Saudi Arabia.

Discussing a possible mid-season friendly to generate funds, Ruben Amorim said: "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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