Saudi Arabia crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman has denied reports that he intends to buy Manchester United.

The crown prince was said to be launching a £3.8billion offer to take control of the Premier League club, according to weekend reports.

But the kingdom’s media minister, Turki al-Shabanah, wrote on Twitter: “Reports claiming that HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman intends on buying @ManUtd are completely false.

“Manchester United held a meeting with @PIFSaudi to discuss sponsorship opportunity. No deal has been materialized.”

United’s American owners, the Glazer family, bought the club for £790million almost 14 years ago.

Press Association Sport reported in October that United’s owners have no intention of selling any stake in the club.

Soccer – Barclays Premier League – Manchester United v Burnley – Old Trafford
Manchester United joint chairmen Joel Glazer (right) and Avram Glazer (left). The Glazer family have been in charge of the club since 2005 (Martin Rickett/PA)

United already have business interests with Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Telecom the club’s official integrated telecommunications partner.

The club also signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia last year to help develop football industry in the country.

The crown prince has shown a big appetite for bringing sporting events to his country over the past couple of years, including motor sport and boxing, while Brazil and Argentina played a football international in Riyadh last October.