Manchester United fans have long been disillusioned with the Glazer family and their reign over the club. But, in truth, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory after taking over the majority shares in 2024.

Cost-cutting measures bordered on dystopian, trimming the fat so aggressively it began to cut into the bone, with the Red Devils enduing their worst-ever Premier League campaign – capped off by a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

While things have improved this season – only after INEOS replaced the hapless Ruben Amorim with Michael Carrick – the question remains: would The Nine Two Foundation, backed by Sheikh Jassim, have provided a steadier hand at the wheel of the club’s ambitious rebuild?

According to the Daily Mail, Jassim already had a shortlist of 10 players ready to bring to Old Trafford before his £5 billion takeover bid was halted in its tracks by Ratcliffe and the INEOS entourage. And with the Glazer family now considering selling their stake in Manchester United, according to reports, let’s look at the players who could have ended up at the Theatre of Dreams under Qatari ownership.

Harry Kane

Bayern Munich

The English all-time top goalscorer was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford three summers ago, even with the Glazers in situ. Yet, it never felt like a concrete possibility with the sums of money Tottenham would likely demand to sell a star player to a Premier League rival.

Kane, instead, chose to sign for German heavyweights Bayern Munich. The result, three years on, is 147 appearances across all competitions, 146 goals, 22 assists, not to mention two Bundesliga titles. One of the most complete forwards in world football, Kane is exactly the type of player United were crying out for.

Kim Min-Jae

Bayern Munich

Another player lost to Bayern Munich three seasons ago was South Korean defender Kim Min-Jae, who left Serie A champions Napoli for a new challenge – coinciding with Kane’s move to Germany. A powerful presence at the back with strong on-the-ball skills, Kim would have made an excellent partner alongside the likes of Lisandro Martinez.

However, the Red Devils opted for alternatives like Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt. While not terrible signings, they’ve been unremarkable at best. It’s easy to wonder if Kim, who has been a rock in Bayern’s defence over the past three seasons, might have been a more fitting addition, especially since his skillset seems to take the best from both United’s alternatives – Yoro’s speed and possession qualities, and De Ligt’s strength and aerial superiority – and combine them.

Adrien Rabiot

AC Milan

The Red Devils have a serious habit of hitting the panic button without fully considering bolder, long-term solutions. This was especially clear in their decision to sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan for the 2023-24 season. While he performed well as Morocco’s defensive midfielder during their impressive World Cup semi-final run, Adrien Rabiot was available as a free agent and boasted a much more experienced CV.

At the time, money didn’t seem to be a major concern for the club – otherwise, they might have taken more time to make a smarter choice and signed then-Juventus midfielder Rabiot, who has since become a smooth operator in AC Milan’s midfield since leaving Marseille. He could have been a far better solution than the £350,000-per-week gamble on Casemiro, too.

Alexis Mac Allister

Liverpool

One of the best midfielders in the world right now, Alexis Mac Allister has been the tempo-setter in Liverpool’s engine room since his move from Brighton three summers ago. At just 27 years old, he could retire a proud man, having won the World Cup, Copa America, and the Premier League, establishing himself as one of the Reds’ most important players.

A traditional number 8, equally skilled at snuffing out danger, spraying precise passes, and scoring wonder goals, the Argentine is the epitome of a game-changer. There’s no doubt he could have turned around some of United’s fortunes single-handedly, had Jassim taken over the club and signed Mac Allister for the £35 million their fiercest rivals paid – a fee that now looks like daylight robbery.

Ronald Araujo

Barcelona

A versatile, athletic defender who can play both at centre-back and right-back, Ronald Araujo would have been a perfect addition to a three-at-the-back system that Ruben Amorim favoured.

The 27-year-old, who has been a regular for Uruguay in recent years, possesses all the attributes required to succeed in the Premier League. While there are more talented footballers on this list, Sheikh Jassim’s move for Araujo would still have been a shrewd bit of business.

Frenkie de Jong

Barcelona

Long tipped to reunite with former boss Erik ten Hag, Frenkie de Jong never made his way to Old Trafford – likely because Camp Nou has remained a more reliable route to silverware.

Back in 2020, Lionel Messi described De Jong as “one of the most accomplished passers I have ever seen for his age.” Injuries have disrupted his recent seasons, but when fit, he’s as assured and decisive as anyone else in his position. There’s a reason his most famous former teammate tipped him for greatness.

Victor Osimhen

Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen’s potential has been well-known since he joined Lille in 2019, but it wasn’t until 2022 that the world truly saw the full extent of the relentless Nigerian’s talent. Standing tall, with speed, aerial dominance, and clinical finishing, Osimhen scored nearly every type of goal imaginable throughout his Napoli career, leading them to the Serie A title in 2023 with 26 goals in 32 league matches.

At 27, Osinhem remains one of the world’s top strikers. While various top European clubs have been linked with a move for the prolific strikers in recent years, he seems content scoring goals most weeks in the Turkish top flight for now.

Dusan Vlahovic

Juventus

Dusan Vlahovic was another striker on Sheikh Jassim’s radar. The Serbian isn’t as prolific as Ominhem but may have still been a better option than Rasmus Hojlund, who never found his feet in England.

With 68 goals and 16 assists in 168 appearances for Juventus, the only real gamble for United would have been whether his form in the Mediterranean heat could translate to the physical demands and rainy skies of England. Just ask Joshua Zirkzee – shining in Serie A doesn’t always guarantee success in the Premier League.

Kingsley Coman

Al-Nassr

Al-Nassr’s rapid winger was one of two left-sided options on Sheikh Jassim’s wishlist – though Kingsley Coman is equally comfortable operating on the right. The Frenchman was a key figure during his spell with Bayern Munich and, incredibly, had won a league title in every single season of his senior career until 2023-24, when Bayer Leverkusen finally dethroned Bayern.

A move to the Theatre of Dreams would likely have jeopardised that remarkable streak even further, with the Red Devils having failed to lift the Premier League trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson’s farewell season back in 2013.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia

Paris Saint-Germain

A show of their intent and desire to win the biggest honours on offer, PSG went into the January transfer window with a name in mind: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian winger was relentless on the Napoli flank and was touted by sides across Europe – but it was an ambitious PSG side who secured his services, and they lifted their first-ever Champions League title with his help.

Not only is he absolutely rapid, but what he can do with the ball at such speed is what separates him from the rest. Ambidexturous and able to beat perhaps anyone in the beautiful game in a foot race, United are out of luck in their pursuit of the Georgian, as it doesn’t look like anyone can prize him away from the City of Lights while they are playing the way they are under Luis Enrique.

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 04/06/2026).