Prospective owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said that Ineos are still "in the process" of attempting to win the Manchester United takeover battle.
The chemical giant, who is led by boyhood United supporter Ratcliffe, remains one of the frontrunners to complete a takeover, alongside Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Ratcliffe's bid is to secure a majority stake while Sheikh Jassim wants full control of the club.
The battle to secure the keys to Old Trafford is now more than seven months old, with the Glazer family so far refusing to bring the saga to a conclusion. Both Ineos and Sheikh Jassim have each tabled a collection of bids, with the latter presenting a fifth bid last month.
While the Qatari has continued to make big-money bids in an attempt to get a deal wrapped up, Ratcliffe and Ineos have taken a more reserved approach, patiently awaiting a decision from the Glazer family to be made. The American-based family officially put United up for sale on November 22 last year.
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"We obviously can't say too much because we've signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and we respect that but there's still a process and we're in the process," said Ratcliffe, speaking at a Knightsbridge book launch.
"We have a good offer – we've met the Glazers a couple of times and we had a good conversation but at the end of the day it's their decision ... we would still very much like to do it.
"I also believe we would do a good job and do it for the right reasons. We keep very focused on it."
There is a general feeling that those in the bidding race to buy United from the Glazers are paying over the odds. However, Ratcliffe believes the Reds represent a positive investment.
He continued: "They ain't making them any more. Manchester United and these types of clubs, it's like art or areas like that.
"When you have special things and their value continues to pick up over time because they are very special and rare. I don't like throwing money away or losing money. It doesn't make me happy at all.
"But we aren't there to make money out of it. If it's a really good asset it will increase its value over time."
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe also shut down suggestions that he could rename Old Trafford as a potential commercial opportunity, adding: "God no, that would be heresy."
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