Qataris quash United bid claims

QATAR HOLDING joined Manchester United in quashing rumours of a takeover with a source close to the Gulf Arab state’s sovereign wealth fund saying no talks had been held with the club.

Premier League leaders United have repeatedly said the Old Trafford club was not for sale but its high-yield bonds rose to near-record highs on Tuesday on speculation of a deal.

“Qatar Holding is not and has never been in discussions to buy Manchester United football club. There is no truth to the rumours,” a source insisted.

While United have been building a four-point lead in the Premier League as they seek a record 19th title, off the pitch they have been the subject of media reports saying their American owners, the Glazers, are on the verge of selling up.

The owners are unpopular among many fans, with some donning green and gold scarves on match days in protest at the debt the Glazers have burdened the club with.

The colours are those of the Newton Heath works team, United’s predecessors, and those wearing them are disillusioned by what they see as exploitation of the club by foreign owners who have raised ticket prices and loaded United with debt.

The Glazers, who bought the club in 2005 for about £790m (€936m), surprised fans in November when a source said they had agreed to pay off a £220m payment-in-kind (PIK) loan from funds outside the club.

A month earlier they had ensured United kept hold of England striker, Wayne Rooney, who had turned the spotlight on the Americans by saying he wanted to leave Old Trafford because the club lacked clout in the transfer market.