Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly flown to New York to hold face-to-face talks with Manchester United representatives over the past month in an effort to win the race with Sheikh Jassim.
After seven months the United takeover saga has entered what it hoped to be the final phase, with the Glazer family close to deciding between INEOS chief Ratcliffe and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Qatari reports earlier in the week suggested Sheikh Jassim had been successful with his bid for 100 per cent of the club, only for the claims to be rowed back from.
Excitement peaked again on Thursday when a company called 'Nine Two Holdings Limited' was registered with Companies House in Sheikh Jassim’s name. The speculation caused a major spike in the share price of Manchester United on the New York Stock Exchange, with trading temporarily suspended amid claims the Qatari group were in talks over gaining exclusivity.
