The Sheikh is out!

Qatari Sheikh bin Hamad Al-Thani has pulled out of bid as 25 per cent offer from Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'set to be ratified'

- ISAAC JOHNSON

SHEIKH Jassim bin Hamad AlThani has withdrawn from the Manchester United takeover race. The Qatari had been rivalling INEOS billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a buy-out but has decided to axe his 100 per cent bid.

Al-Thani had undergone several rounds of bidding staged by the Raine Group, with his final revised offer standing at £5billion - around double the market value of the club. He is said to have withdrawn his proposal due to being disillusioned by the valuation placed on United by the Glazers.