Manchester United fans remain in the dark over the potential sale of their club a full week after Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe submitted their final offers.
More than six months since the Glazer family announced they intended to sell up at Old Trafford, the drawn-out saga finally culminated last Friday, with the two front runners tabling their third and final bids before the 10pm deadline. Both fell short of the £6 billion asking price, with Ratcliffe's bid of £5 billion plus reportedly slightly higher than his Qatari rival.
But the British businessman's offer comes with a caveat. Whilst Sheikh Jassim his proposing a 100% takeover, Ratcliffe will purchase just over 50% of United's shares, with brothers Joel and Avram Glazer maintaining a 20% stake.
That has angered a portion of the club's fan base who have long campaigned to for the Glazer family to leave Old Trafford for good. But their frustration is set to be exacerbated further by news that the neither bidder has heard back from the relevant parties since tabling their offers.
The group led by Sheikh Jassim meanwhile, have pledged an additional £800 million in their takeover plans, which would focus on improving club infrastructure. According to London newspaper City AM, the additional money is a ring-fenced sum which would improve facilities such as their Carrington training base and Old Trafford.
But Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol said: "Sheikh Jassim is still waiting to hear back from Raine, the bank who have been appointed by the Glazer family to sell all or part of Manchester United. Five months into the process, and five weeks until the transfer window opens, there has only been one bid to buy the club in full which is from the Qataris."
It was also revealed that Ratcliffe has also not been contacted since last Friday. Manager Erik ten Hag has remained tight lipped on the saga, but it's an issue he undoubtedly wants sorting as he targets an overhaul of his squad this summer.
Despite the 1-0 defeat at Brighton on Thursday, the Red Devils remain primely placed for a lucrative return to the Champions League next season. Ahead of a trip to West Ham this weekend, United lead fifth placed Liverpool by four points with a game in hand.
But amid links to an £80 million move for Spurs striker Harry Kane, the Dutch boss must continue to wait to learn what funds will be available. The summer transfer window opens on Saturday, June 10, a week after United face Man City in their final game of the campaign - the FA Cup final at Wembley.
