It seems to have all gone somewhat quiet regarding any potential Manchester United takeover from a new bidder - but this could just be the calm before the storm.
Since the club was put up for sale in November, there has been no further concrete statement from United themselves, although Avram Glazer and Richard Arnold have provided sporadic, coy updates in the interim.
But it has been suggested the owners would like to sell in the first quarter of 2023 and the clock is ticking. Reports that a state-backed takeover could be on the cards have been tentatively been played down with the most of the fanbase seemingly against the idea.
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The last thing the new owners need is another eruption of protests to start their reign. Instead, many have highlighted Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the saviour to rescue the Reds from the mire.
A lifelong United fan, the hope is that the Ineos billionaire would be more willing to put the interests of the club first ahead of financial endeavours. Reports have underlined how Ineos is meticulous in its investments, making sure they are likely to reap a return.
Ratcliffe has been equally careful about the words he has used about a potential bid, which he revealed an interest in via his spokesperson in August. United would be the exception to the company blueprint rule.
“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent,” Ratcliffe’s spokesperson said. “Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”
Old Trafford is in desperate need of a revamp and this will come as added cost to the billions that United would ultimately be sold for. However, the initial paramount surety fans are most bothered about is whether the new owners would be right for the club, and a fair amount believe Ratcliffe is.
Unlike the Glazers back in 2005, he would take over United having had previous experience at owning a historic European football club. He acquired French outfit OGC Nice in 2019 and has recently demonstrated his desire for success and nothing less.
The club finished fifth in Ligue 1 last year, gaining entry to the Europa Conference League and have finished top of their group. But domestically, they are languishing in 11th having not won since November.
A cup defeat to third-tier Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne broke the camel’s back and Ratcliffe at the very least approved the sacking of Lucien Favre on Tuesday, just six months into his second tenure.
Previous boss Christophe Galtier moved onto Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and so they turned to the man who had brought them Champions League football in 2017. But when it turned sour during his return, Ratcliffe wasn’t about to use Favre's former glory as credit.
This epitomises his ruthlessness when it comes to success - there is no progress, he will go about changing it. Aside from throwing the wallet at wide-eyed managers, the Glazers have failed to grab the rudder to turn the vessel around.
It seems like Ratcliffe wouldn’t be so idle - there’s a reason why he’s worth an estimated £6bn, according to Bloomberg. What’s more he is operating on a tighter ship at Nice and if he can show his nous for success there, then it bodes well for a United ploy.
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