The chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) has submitted a bid for 100% control of Manchester United.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani submitted the first formal bid for the Premier League club, it is understood.

Manchester United’s current owners, the Glazer family, had set a deadline of 10pm on Friday night.

In a statement released tonight, Sheikh Jassim “confirmed a submission for a bid for 100% of Manchester United Football Club”.

The statement added: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and above all will seek to put fans at the heart of the football club once more.”

“The bid will be 100% debt-free, via Sheikh Jassim’s 92 Foundation which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and the wider infrastructure.”

Sheikh Jassim, whose father Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani is a former prime minister of Qatar, was educated in Britain at Sandhurst military academy, he graduated as an officer cadet and has been chairman at QIB, as well as having roles at other clubs. Born in 1982, Sheikh Jassim says he has been a lifelong Manchester United fan.

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The Glazer family, who took over the club in 2005 and who are widely disliked by fans, announced in November that they would put Manchester United up for sale.

If the bid is successful Manchester United would become the third Premier League club to have Gulf owners, joining Manchester City (UAE) and Newcastle (Saudi Arabia). In France, Paris St Germain are owned by the Qatari sovereign wealth fund.

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