Manchester United takeover latest as INEOS chiefs 'meet club executives'

Any Manchester United not even the slightest bit frustrated by the ongoing takeover saga must have the patience of a saint.

It was widely expected last month Sir Jim Ratcliffe would acquire a 25 per cent stake in the Reds. The INEOS founder was thought to be arriving during November's international break and the departure of Richard Arnold as CEO looked to have spelled his arrival. Yet, more than a week into December, Ratcliffe has not arrived officially at the club.

However, if the latest headlines are to be believed, the British billionaire is edging ever closer to the United boardroom. Here's the latest takeover news.

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According to The Athletic, Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc met with United executives on Thursday as Ratcliffe's deal draws nearer. United’s football director John Murtough and interim chief executive Patrick Stewart were among those to meet Brailsford, INEOS' director of sport, and Blanc, who oversees the INEOS sporting portfolio.

The meeting has been deemed a 'fact finding mission' and the deal will hopefully be completed before Christmas, according to the report. MEN Sport confirmed in November Brailsford had been visiting Carrington ahead of Ratcliffe's arrival.

Ratcliffe's investment into United has not yet been finalised but he is expected to bring Blanc with him. It was announced in November that Arnold will leave his role as chief executive after 16 years with United, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that Blanc is expected to replace him. Here, we take a closer look at Blanc's career.