Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim learns Jim Ratcliffe stance in new update from INEOS chief

Man Utd fans welcomes arrival of Onana from Inter Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, has issued an update on the Manchester United takeover while at the Tour de France with Team Sky. Fellow takeover hopeful Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani may be frustrated to find out that the INEOS bid is not going anywhere just yet, despite a heavily delayed process being overseen by the Glazers and Raine Group. There has been radio silence on the potential sale of Man Utd by the Glazers in recent weeks. Sheikh Jassim and the Nine Two Foundation, as well as Sir Jim’s INEOS, have each lodged proposals worth in the region of £5billion. With the drawn-out process expected to feed into next season, fans have finally been given a new update by Sir Dave, who heads up INEOS’ sport department. “Obviously we’ve been involved and it’s something that we’re very keen to do,” he told ITV Sport. “It’s not something we can discuss in detail, we’ve got to sign up to NDAs and all the rest of it. But it’s an ongoing process and we’d very much like to do it. Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are still in the running to purchase Man Utd “To be custodians of one of the biggest sporting teams, brands, in the world and trying to really support the team and go back to the success they deserve. And also the fanbase. “I’ve worked in Manchester for a long time, we saw the team become a global phenomenon, Team Sky have done the same. I know Manchester really well so you get a sense of what the club is all about and what the fans want. If we’re part of the process, we hope to do that.” SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Man Utd have already lined up Amrabat as next signing after Onana and Hojlund By comparison, Sheikh Jassim’s camp have remained eerily quiet on their takeover prospects, although reports indicate that they are confident of getting the deal done. While Sir Jim is content to play the long game with the Glazers, who first announced their intention to explore strategic alternatives more than eight months ago, those involved in the Qatari bid are rumoured to be growing impatient. The possibility also remains that the Glazers could perform a dramatic U-turn and keep hold of United, or write off the possibility of a full-scale takeover by welcoming minority investment instead.