Sir Jim Ratcliffe stance on abandoning Man Utd takeover as huge delay expected

Bagpipe player serenades fans ahead of Man Utd friendly

Manchester United bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly preparing for the takeover process to continue into the new season, which would signify another massive delay for impatient Red Devils supporters. Fellow takeover hopeful Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani may not be so patient with the Glazers as suspense builds around the club’s future.

In recent weeks, Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim have reportedly been given the silent treatment by the Glazers and Raine Group – the bank overseeing the potential sale. At no point have the Glazers explicitly said that they are certain to leave Old Trafford.

It has now been over eight months since United’s unpopular owners acknowledged that ‘strategic alternatives’ were being explored behind the scenes. Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim are both believed to have submitted offers close to the Glazers’ £6billion valuation.

As frustrated United fans grow even more impatient, The Guardian claim that Sir Jim is willing for the process to roll into the new season and has not given the Glazers a timeframe in which to see the deal through.

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The petrochemicals billionaire’s approach suggests that supporters could be in for another long wait to discover the fate of their club. Sir Jim has proposed to become a majority shareholder, although the Glazers would remain at Old Trafford in a minority capacity for at least the next few years.

Sheikh Jassim, by contrast, is aiming to purchase 100 per cent of the Red Devils, promising significant investment for transfers, stadium refurbishment and infrastructure.

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The Qatari banker is thought to be growing frustrated at the lack of progress, having hoped to make an impact with his spending promises in the current transfer window. Sheikh Jassim initially set a deadline for the deal to be resolved by early June, although that was later withdrawn.

Sir Jim’s reluctance to walk away from his takeover attempt suggests that he is content to play the long game, and United boss Erik ten Hag is being financially backed in the meantime, with the Glazers keen to avoid the club slipping further behind their rivals.

Mason Mount has already been signed this summer in a £60million deal, while goalkeeper Andre Onana will soon join him after a big-money agreement was struck with Inter Milan.

A striker remains high on Ten Hag’s wish list, with Atalanta youngster Rasmus Hojlund and Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani both heavily linked to Old Trafford as the transfer window rumbles on.

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