Man Utd offered £375m cash injection as 'Christmas present' by Finnish businessman

Manchester United have been offered a cash injection of £375 million as a "Christmas present" by a Finnish entrepreneur in a bid to return them to the top of the game.

Thomas Zilliacus competed against Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim when attempting to buy United in 2023.

When the Glazer family offered United for complete or partial acquisition, Zilliacus put forward his supporter-driven bid, which he insisted could have generated up to £15 billion for the club.

The ex-Nokia executive pulled out of the running and Ineos acquired a 27.7 per cent shareholding in the club.

Now Zilliacus has another proposition for United in the shape of a substantial sponsorship agreement.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "I have decided to offer Manchester United a sponsorship deal through my company XXI Century Capital Group. I want to be able to give a Christmas present to Manchester United.

"For me, it's not about owning something. It's not about having a trophy to show off. It's about how we make Manchester United so strong financially that they can become the number one club, not only in England, but in Europe.

"So, I have decided to propose a $500m (£375m) sponsorship deal over five years. It goes back to global fan engagement and how we get the fans involved around the world. I have a programme that in a very interesting way activates these fans and it's around that that I am confident I can offer this sponsorship deal over five years.

"With that money, Manchester United could significantly strengthen their squad and do other things as well. Within the XXI Century Capital Group we have a number of brands.

"It wouldn't necessarily be the XXI Century Capital brand that sponsors. It could be some other brands within the group. It could be Champion Circle, which is the specific fan engagement programme."

Zilliacus also expressed his desire to collaborate with Ratcliffe saying: "I would love to be working with Sir Jim Ratcliffe. When us three, Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim and I, were bidding for Manchester United, I said, 'Look, instead of just trying to overbid each other and make the Glazer family even more wealthy, why don't we work together for the benefit of the club?'

"That is still how I see things. You usually get better results when you work together. I want to be heavily involved in agreeing on how sponsorship would work. Then when it comes to developing the club, I would be very happy to offer my ideas, my thoughts and my advice but I would not impose.

"I would not say, 'Look, you have to include me in some decision-making.' But I do think there are so many things that could be done even better.

"Starting from player acquisition to how we make the fans happier with everything that they experience, be it inside the stadium or outside the stadium.

"I also have experience in developing sports arenas and have views on the stadium. So I would very much like to be involved with that. From the sponsorship angle, this would also open up new opportunities that would be a win-win for all parties."