Saudi leader ‘is not a Man United fan’, says Kingdom's media minister

SAUDI ARABIA’S crown prince is not trying to buy Manchester United, the kingdom’s media minister said today.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had been linked to a £3.8 billion takeover of the Premier League club.

But minister Turki al-Shabanah tweeted: “Reports claiming that HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman intends on buying @ManUtd are completely false. Manchester United held a meeting with [sovereign wealth fund] @PIFSaudi to discuss sponsorship opportunity. No deal has been materialized.”

The Sun reported that a bid was first submitted in October but the fallout from the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul scuppered a deal.

The paper said the price of the bid depends on the club qualifying for the Champions League.

The Glazer family took over 2005 for £790 million and would net a huge profit from a sale.