Tomorrow marks exactly seven months to the day since the Glazer family put Manchester United up for sale and we are still no closer to reaching an outcome.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe have long since installed themselves as the favourites to acquire the club, albeit via different methods. Sheikh Jassim wants to secure 100 per cent ownership while Ratcliffe is after a majority stake.
But despite the key differences, the Glazers are yet to make a decision on who, if anybody, they will hand the keys to Old Trafford to. They are dawdling and it is impacting manager Erik ten Hag's transfer plans.
With that in mind, United supporters' frustrations have now reached an all-time high and they are desperate for the saga to be brought to an end one way or another as soon as possible. Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at the latest takeover headlines.
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Talks remain ongoing
According to a report by CBS Sports, as cited by the Express, advanced talks and 'significant legal steps' are still ongoing between the Glazers and those who remain in the bidding race. Both Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe first registered official interest in the club back in February and have remained the frontrunners ever since.
Despite the ongoing silence coming out of Old Trafford, it is claimed that the Glazers do remain in deep discussions with those interested in ousting them from M16. The report claims that the proceedings are 'ticking along smoothly' despite the silence.
Furthermore, it is claimed that both Sheikh Jassim and Ratcliffe have been told to get 'everything ready' in case they get the go-ahead to begin the completion process, which is likely to take several weeks, possibly months. It is still not 100 per cent clear if the Glazers will commit to going through with a sale.
Ratcliffe 'losing confidence'
Ratcliffe's INEOS are said to have suffered a 'loss of confidence' in their hopes of winning the United takeover battle, according to a report by Nice-Matin, as cited by Get Football News France. It is suggested that the British businessman is 'losing confidence' as a result of the time the takeover process is taking.
Following Sheikh Jassim's fifth and improved bid for the club earlier this month, it is widely considered that he is now the favourite to buy the club and secure complete ownership. Ratcliffe, as outlined above, wants to secure a majority stake.
Ratcliffe, who is a boyhood United supporter, already owns French club Nice and wants to add United to his empire. However, it is being suggested that his hopes of getting a deal over the line are now beginning to fade.
