United View: The messy takeover at Manchester United.

On November 17th last year, news broke that the Glazers were potentially looking to sell Manchester United. Now seven months later the future of the club hangs in the balance between two final bidders, but it’s still uncertain who will gain control.

United View: The messy takeover at Manchester United.

On November 17th last year, news broke that the Glazers were potentially looking to sell Manchester United. Now seven months later the future of the club hangs in the balance between two final bidders, but it’s still uncertain who will gain control.

Fans rejoiced at the possibility of the Glazer's removal from Old Trafford. After owning the club for 17 years, the consensus is that the family should never have been allowed to purchase Manchester United. Nor have they done much to warrant any support during their reign.

Not only did they place the club in hundreds of millions of pounds in debt, which is still there to this day, but there has also been poor investment on and off the pitch. With results declining since Sir Alex’s departure.

Thankfully from a footballing point of view, things are at least starting to look more promising under Erik Ten Hag. However, behind the scenes, it still feels like a circus.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is one of those still in the race for control. A boyhood Manchester United fan and owner of INEOS, the fourth-largest chemical company in the world. He also currently owns the French side OGC Nice.

Meanwhile, there is Sheik Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani. The chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QSI) and a member of the Qatari royal family. And by all accounts a lifelong Manchester United fan.

Both are hoping to take charge of Manchester United, but each has different approaches. For Sir Jim, there have been numerous reports that his bid is for 69% of the club with the possibility of the Glazers staying on as minority stakeholders. Whereas Sheik Jassim is looking for 100% of the club.

Although this is a multibillion-pound deal and was always going to take time, the lack of clarity is causing the pressure to mount. And with the summer transfer window open on June 14th, this prolonged process is only going to hurt Manchester United.

It’s difficult to suggest the outcome of this takeover as it has more twists and turns than an episode of Succession – which is a must-watch piece of television by the way.

On Friday it appeared that Sir Jim was looked at as the preferred bidder, only for Sheik Jassim to return with a fifth improved offer.

Things were further complicated when news broke that PSG’s president Nasser Al-Khelafi was approached by the Glazers to discuss the potential takeover in an advisory role. Although he has since denied any involvement in the bid.

Then on Monday night, United’s stock price rose by nearly 15%, a significant amount. And many see this as the endgame, swinging in favour of Qatar.

Hopefully, a decision will be made this week. But it’s important to remember that this sale will have significant effects on the future of the club. And both have their pros and cons.

Qatari ownership could potentially offer unlimited resources to a club that already generates huge revenue, but it could also be suggested that Manchester United is another example of sports washing.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe may be seen as a preferred choice for those who believe United doesn’t need Qatari wealth to compete. But allowing the Glazers to stay at United has only frustrated a section of the fanbase. And his ownership of OGC Nice further complicates things for all involved.

Ultimately everyone just wants what is best for their club and all have understandable reasons for their preferred choice. But this situation is completely out of the regular fans' control.

Until a decision is made official, we will all just have to wait and see. Who knows, by this time next week the Glazers could be gone from Manchester United.