Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are still waiting to find out who, if either of them, will become Manchester United's next owner.
It is now eight months since the Glazers announced their decision to seek 'strategic alternatives' for the club, with the two billionaires the frontrunners to take over at Old Trafford. Failsworth-born Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a lifelong United fan, while Sheikh Jassim is also said to be a supporter of the club, meaning the eventual winner would have the enviable opportunity to live out a dream just about every football fan has fantasised over at one time or another.
Walking through the doors at Old Trafford as the club's new owner may represent a dream moment for whoever gets given the honour, but in reality, one aspect may fall short of expectation. Any thoughts of adulation from supporters may have to be put on hold, if United legend Paul Scholes' previous comments are anything to go by.
Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here
Exclusive: Murtough holds extensive talks over Hojlund and Onana
Scholes warned that any club with billionaire owners, including rivals Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool, don't enjoy a connection between their owners and fans - meaning Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe could now expect things to be the same should they take over United. Speaking before Manchester United's Europa League semi-final clash with AS Roma in April 2021, Scholes told BT Sport: "I'm not sure there ever will be a connection with these owners. I don't think that's just this club I think it's every club who started with billionaire owners for them to have a toy to make money with.
"This [Manchester United] is a great club as well. The young players this club has, the young local lads coming through academies, it's a great chance for that connection but as long as there's billionaire owners from America, from other countries, there's never ever going to be a connection
"Look at Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, is there a connection there? I don't think there is I don't think there ever will be. I think we have to stop pining for that."
Scholes' words may come as something of a disappointment to the two billionaire United fans. Both takeover bidders will no doubt have dreams of walking through the doors at Old Trafford and instantly striking up a rapport with fans and they may well do initially due to the bad blood between the fanbase and the club's current ownership - but it is unlikely to always be that way.
There will be tough decisions to make that fans may not always understand. The takeover is unlikely to hand United an unlimited transfer budget meaning tough choices may still need to be made in the current window.
Hopes of signing some of the huge stars linked with United this summer are unlikely to fade but in reality the club would be extremely lucky to bring in Harry Kane, let alone some of the other Galactico names being mentioned as well. Important upgrades to Old Trafford and Carrington will also take time and there will almost certainly be a period of adjustment for whoever comes in.
While Erik ten Hag enjoyed an encouraging first season, future success is far from guaranteed and initial goodwill for the new regime is almost certain to fade should the team begin to struggle - which is easily possible given the business of Premier League rivals so far this summer. The opportunity to prove Scholes wrong is still there for Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim to grasp - but maybe we shouldn't expect them to.
Follow the MEN's United coverage on TikTok and YouTube, and subscribe to the Manchester is Red podcast
