Qatari Sheikh Jassim and Ineos have both made bids to buy major Premier League side Manchester United after expressing an interest on Friday night.

BBC Sport reported that Ineos, which is owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, officially made a bid for the club before the soft deadline of 10 pm last night.

The club was originally bought by the Glazer family in 2005 but the owners are likely to sell the club as they "explore strategic alternatives".

Sheikh Jassim's Qatari consortium said of their bid: "The bid plans to return the club to its former glories.

The Bolton News: (PA) Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim(PA) Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim (Image: PA)

"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 to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world."

Ratcliffe-owned Ineos is yet to make a statement on its intention to buy the football club but it is understood that the focus will be on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's background.

Sir Ratcliffe was born in Manchester and could emphasise his role as "a British custodian for the club" who would aim to "put the Manchester back into Manchester United".

Other parties are expected to try and buy the club such as the Amercian brand United and one other group from Saudi Arabia.

Who is Qatari Sheikh Jassim?

Sheikh Jassim from Qatar, a middle eastern nation which recently hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup, has been described as a lifelong Manchester United fan.

He is very influential and is the chairman of Qatari bank QIB and the son of a former prime minister of the small oil-rich nation.

Who is Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of the multinational chemicals company, Ineos Group, is one of the UK's richest men.

Born in Manchester, the British billionaire does not have a high profile and was described by The Sunday Times as "publicity shy".

In 2020, Ratcliffe officially changed his tax residency from Hampshire to Monaco, a move that would save him an estimated £4 billion.