Manchester United insiders are reportedly dismissing claims from Thomas Zilliacus that he has launched a bid to buy the club, despite his media statements. The entrepreneur says that he has submitted a fresh second offer for the Old Trafford outfit, though it does not appear that his interest is truly being entertained.

Zilliacus has been very public about his desire to acquire United, initially pushing for a 50-50 model that would see supporters the chance to become owners of the club for a minimal fee. The entrepreneur then offered an olive branch to his ‘rivals’ by proposing that the three interested parties – Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sheikh Jassim and himself – join forces for the collective good of United.

After that fell on deaf ears, Zilliacus has supposedly returned with a new offer to the Glazers. However, CBS Sports have claimed that the Finnish businessman is not being entirely ‘accurate’ with what he is announcing.

They say that Zilliacus has not received any feedback from United after he expressed his interest in purchasing them initially, having been late in making any form of contact. After the ‘radio silence’, the 59-year-old decided to send a follow-up email with a thorough outlining of his offer, though he is not thought to have attached any proof of his funds.

However, insiders reportedly ‘strongly dismiss’ that a bid has been lodged, stressing that Zilliacus was not invited to be involved in the process. It remains to be seen how the businessman reacts to such claims and if he is able to force his way into a three-horse race to sign United.

But the news not being seriously entertained may not be what Zilliacus wants to hear considering he told Manchester Evening News about how he feels that his supposed bid is equally as competitive as those from Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe.