The Qatari group led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad J.J. Al Thani is increasingly confident it's won the bidding war for Manchester United Plc, thwarting a rival offer from British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe as the sale of the football club extends into the crucial summer months.

The transaction has been beset with delays, with bids failing to meet expectations of the selling Glazer family, splits among the owners about whether to sell and fears of litigation from minority shareholders, people with knowledge of the matter said.