It was described by one industry source as a "circus" and another as a "soap opera" and only added to the feeling that things rarely run smoothly where Manchester United are concerned.
The 9pm Wednesday deadline for second bids to buy the club passed with suggestions that the Qatari bidders and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group had tabled new offers, only for that idea to be swiftly debunked and the deadline extended.
New bids are still expected to be forthcoming but it only added to the intrigue and the uncertainty which has surrounded this process since the Glazers went public with their intention to sell - or seek new investment - in November.
