Tottenham Hotspur-linked Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim has dissolved his company Nine Two UK Holdings Limited, which was once linked with his proposed buyout of Manchester United.
He was one of the front runners to take over at Old Trafford, prior to the Glazers striking a deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos for a minority share in the club last year.
Nine Two UK Holdings Limited was incorporated by the UK Government on June 15, 2023 has now ceased trading. Back in 2023, questions arose regarding the approval of the company, with some suggesting it could be an indicator of a United takeover decision in favour of his bid.
However, as the Manchester Evening News explained and history has since shown us, the two were not connected. The company was ‘incorporated’ on Companies House with Sheikh Jassim listed as one of the directors and an address on Norwich Street in London was listed as the foundation’s UK residence.
Paperwork to register Nine Two Holdings Limited in the UK was filed two months before Sheikh Jassim’s last two offers for United with the decision to register his foundation more in preparation to have formalities in place were he chosen to be the preferred candidate.
Although Ratcliffe and Ineos were chosen as the preferred candidate to take over at Old Trafford, the Qatari banker was still reportedly keen on a takeover at the club, before links with Tottenham Hotspur emerged.
“Sheikh Jassim is still a rich guy,” an adviser told the Daily Mail last year. “He is still a United fan. He is not going to rush off and try another Premier League club.
“If the opportunity to buy the whole of Manchester United arose again at some point in the future it is hard to see there not being a big level of interest. The plans are still there.”
It now appears as though Sheikh Jassim has given up hope of buying the club, with Nine Two Holdings Limited now dissolved, potentially paving way for a takeover at Spurs with the club looking for additional funding. The building, to which Nine Two UK Holdings Limited was registered, is owned by Macfarlanes.
On their website they state: “We are a unique firm. Our unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means we have the flexibility to meet our clients’ most challenging demands and adapt to the changing world around us.”
