The saga of Manchester United's ownership continues to make headlines, but few stories are as fascinating as what nearly transpired under Qatar's ambitious bid to take over the iconic football club. Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and his group had grand visions that could have completely transformed the club, its infrastructure, and its future. Yet, as fate would have it, these plans were shelved when Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos group secured their position. This blog delves into "what could have been" if Qatar's Project Ruby, as they named it, had come to fruition—with its promises of instantly wiping away debts, building a state-of-the-art stadium, and much more.

Project Ruby: Qatar’s Vision for a New Manchester United

Under the leadership of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Qatar’s takeover bid for Manchester United was nicknamed “Project Ruby.” The plan revolved around restructuring the club to create a financially stable, modern, and competitive powerhouse both on and off the field.

The roadmap was stunningly simple and bold:

1. Day One: Announce the takeover.

2. Day Two: Remove the club’s crippling debt while delisting it from the New York Stock Exchange, ensuring Manchester United no longer had to answer to distant shareholders.

3. Day Three: Launch fully funded plans for a brand-new stadium, designed to be one of the biggest and most advanced football venues in the world.

The idea was not just to fix Manchester United but to rejuvenate it entirely, offering a fresh start for the club and its fanbase.

Debt-Free Ambitions and Financial Rebuild

One of the cornerstones of Qatar’s bid was the promise to erase Manchester United’s massive debt, a burden that had loomed large since the Glazers' leveraged takeover in 2005. The club has spent nearly £1 billion servicing that debt—money that could have been invested in improving the squad, infrastructure, or fan engagement. Sheikh Jassim’s proposal included lifting this financial weight instantly, giving the club a clean slate to build upon.

In contrast, the Ineos-led ownership under Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced criticism for cost-cutting measures, including 250 layoffs and hiking ticket prices for fans. Qatar’s plan avoided such unpopular decisions and aimed at making significant investments in staff, players, and club facilities.

A Stadium Fit for the Future

One of the most exciting elements of the Qatari proposal was the blueprint for a cutting-edge stadium designed by the experts at Populous, who previously worked on Qatar’s 2022 FIFA World Cup infrastructure. The plan envisioned a venue with a capacity of 90,000–100,000, capable of being adjusted for various seating arrangements (down to 45,000 if needed).

Unlike Ratcliffe’s leadership, which has postponed decisions on Old Trafford's future until next summer, Qatar’s funding would have put these developments into motion immediately. Sheikh Jassim’s project also intended to include Manchester United Women's team, bringing them back to Manchester from their current home in Leigh and ensuring parity between the men’s and women’s programs.

Culture, History, and Inclusion

Qatar’s plans weren’t just about big money and infrastructure. They also aimed to respect and preserve Manchester United's storied history, proposing to bring club legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson onto an advisory board. Other notable figures from United’s past, including Class of ’92 icons like Gary Neville and even experienced executives like Richard Scudamore and Ross Brawn, were part of discussions for advisory roles.

On the fan engagement front, Sheikh Jassim’s group had planned to create a fund allowing supporters to own a stake in the club and add fan representatives at board-level decision-making. While such moves might have dispelled stereotypes about Qatari ownership lacking inclusivity, these ideas unfortunately remain pipe dreams.

The Roadblocks to Qatar’s Takeover

Despite these grand plans, Sheikh Jassim’s bid ultimately fell short despite offering a staggering final bid of $6.1 billion (elevated from its original $5.8 billion). The bidding process, managed by the Raine Group, was drawn out and controversial, with Qatar’s group reportedly feeling like the goalposts kept shifting. They also refused to succumb to the notion of overpaying for Manchester United—a stance fueled by the perception of unlimited Qatari wealth in the West.

Sheikh Jassim’s reserved approach during the bidding period also worked against him. Critics accused him of being too discreet, even questioning his existence and the legitimacy of his bid. Comparing this to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s more public and hands-on approach, it’s easy to see how the Qataris lost out, despite their potentially transformative plans.

Reflection: What Might Have Been

Today, as Manchester United faces instability under Ratcliffe’s Ineos group, fans are left wondering what might have been under Qatar’s leadership. Supporter protests have erupted, with complaints about rising ticket prices, job cuts, and operational inefficiencies. Meanwhile, the grand plans of Project Ruby—debt-free operations, a world-class stadium, and investments in the club’s women’s program—serve as a stark reminder of what could have transformed Manchester United into a global leader both on and off the field.

For Sheikh Jassim, this isn’t necessarily the end. While insiders claim he’s not eyeing any other Premier League clubs, they also suggest that he would strongly consider buying Manchester United if another opportunity arises in the future. The plans for Manchester United, it seems, are still alive somewhere in Doha.

Final Thoughts

The collapse of Qatar’s bid for Manchester United leaves behind a mix of regret and curiosity. Would Project Ruby have truly ushered in a golden era for the Red Devils? Could Sheikh Jassim’s leadership have helped restore the club to its former glory without the burden of debt and the controversies that currently plague it?

Only time will tell if Manchester United can thrive under its current ownership or whether another opportunity will arise for a visionary like Sheikh Jassim to step in. For now, fans are left speculating about “what might have been” as Old Trafford endures another challenging Christmas under new leadership.