Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is considering offering the role of Manchester United legend to the club if his takeover attempt is successful, it has been claimed.
Sheikh Jassim is vying with British petrochemical billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe to buy United from the Glazer family, while several other parties are trying to buy a minority stake in the Premier League club.
According to ESPN, if the Qatari banker sees his £5 billion takeover bid accepted, he will give United's biggest-ever players a chance to return. Old Trafford in the top spots.
Sheikh Jassim is credited with opening the door for players on United's treble-winning team in 1999, as well as celebrities from the club's 2008 Champions League-winning team, to represent the club. clubs at different levels.
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Indeed, several actors from these camps are said to have been approached by representatives of Sheikh Jassim to discuss the proposal. Sheikh Jassim, president of the Islamic Bank of Qatar, wants the club to benefit from the profiles and experience of former greats - just as Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Milan and Barcelona have done.
Could Eric Cantona be absent?
One player who may have trouble securing a place at United under Sheikh Jassim is Eric Cantona.
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Although he was not part of the treble-winning team nor the 2008 Champions League winners, he is considered by many to be one of United's greatest ever players. .
The Frenchman boycotted the World Cup in Qatar last year and asserted in an interview with The Athletic that the tournament's promoters, including former teammate David Beckham, made mistakes. Sheikh Jassim is adamant that his bid for United is being funded through his Nine Two Foundation and is completely separate from the Qatari state.
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But maybe fans are not satisfied with Cantona's fierce opposition to Qatar hosting the World Cup, because he is from the Gulf country.
Speaking to Athletic in September 2022 ahead of the World Cup, Cantona said it was unfair to berate the players for choosing to participate in the tournament, but those in power should be criticized for choosing not to boycott. this event.
United legend says:
"Talking about federations, talking about politicians, who have the right to say 'No, we're not going to the World Cup.
"We can't be disappointed if the players don't want to boycott the World Cup, because at the highest level, politicians, presidents, federations, ministers... Real power, everywhere in the world, they are all have the right to boycott. . . Too easy to tell the players.
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When asked about Beckham, who was a paid ambassador for Qatar, Cantona added:
“I won't do that at all. I do the exact opposite. In January 2022, I started saying that. I'm probably the first.
“But I am free to do so. And of course, an old player gets paid to do those things… They might not know what happened there. Or, if they know, I think they did it wrong. I think they made a big mistake. A big, huge mistake.
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