Manchester United don't need Qatar's money to get what they want

It has taken 11 months, but finally there appears to be an end in sight to the Manchester United takeover saga that has divided a fanbase and polarised wider opinion.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani withdrew his offer to buy the club, and now Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks set to invest as part of a long-term plan to eventually own all of the club himself.

The latest takeover twist has been the most controversial. For some, there is relief that the club will not tarnish its reputation by going down the route of becoming a state-sponsored sportwashing machine, but for others, it signals a missed opportunity to finally rival the very best.

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If you can't beat them, join them, right? Well, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way for all United supporters to get what they want in the end.

Ratcliffe has already been given an unfortunate nickname amongst some social media supporters - 'Glazer 2.0' - because he is happy to do business with the current owners and work with them rather than pit himself against them.

What is needed next is some clarity and communication on the next stages of the takeover process and a timeline for Ratcliffe to establish when he expects to have full ownership of the club.

Once that is in place, United can start planning properly for the future under Ratcliffe and he too can set about trying to convince uncertain supporters why he is the right owner to transform their fortunes.

The crux of his argument could lie in the club's recent finances and the argument that United do not actually need the riches of Qatar to be able to get back on track.

Just last month, United