Manchester United takeover latest as Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'named preferred bidder' amid 'clearout' plan

Manchester United fans may be closer to discovering who the preferred bidder for the club is.

On Wednesday, it was reported Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani was the Glazers preferred candidate. According to a Daily Express interview with football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, the Qatari businessman would be highly thought of by United's current ownership because of the size of his bid.

However, on Thursday, contradictory reports suggest Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS bid is preferred by the Glazers. It has previously been reported Ratcliffe's new bid could see the American family stay at the club as minority stakeholders.

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MEN Sport takes a look at the latest takeover headlines below.

According to The Sun, the Glazers are finally ready to sell Manchester United - with Sir Jim Ratcliffe the preferred bidder. Ratcliffe and his Ineos petro-chemicals giant have been engaged in a drawn-out bidding war with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani for ownership of British football’s biggest club.

A huge complication over the five-month process which has seen three rounds of bidding was the growing desire by co-chairman Joel and Avram Glazer to remain at the club. With the Glazers’ chosen deal-makers, the US-based Raine Group, expected to confirm the “winning” bid within days, SunSport understands that Ratcliffe is the preferred partner.

As part of the deal, it is understood Ratcliffe would conduct a clear out of United's boardroom, including chief executive Richard Arnold. However, Joel and Avram Glazer would stay at Old Trafford.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has told GiveMeSport Erik ten Hag and his staff are in the dark as to where they stand ahead of the summer