Manchester United takeover news LIVE Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe told preferred Man Utd bidder 'this week'

Manchester United are now into the seventh month of their takeover process and there still remains a substantial lack of clarity.

It's evident that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are the frontrunners in the race. Ratcliffe is touted to be the one who is edging ahead in negotiations although Sheikh Jassim submitted a revised fifth bid on Wednesday.

Both bids are said to fall short of the Glazers' £6billion valuation but Ratcliffe is apparently proposing that Avram and Joel Glazer stay as minority shareholders.

The current owners have, expectedly, have stayed very quiet about the process but are facing mounting pressure from fans to wrap it up quickly with the transfer window fast approaching.

Erik ten Hag admitted last month that he is in the dark over what budget he will get this summer although insists he can still carry out his transfer plans under the current conditions.

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Sheikh Jassim's patience with the drawn-out Manchester United takeover processes is 'wearing thin', PA news agency reports.

The bidder had apparently set Friday as a self-imposed deadline for when he would end his interest, although this now seems not the case after gaining reported encouragement over a purchase.

Sheikh Jassim submitted a fifth bid on Wednesday in his bid to own 100 per cent of the club, although Sir Jim Ratcliffe is thought to be leading the race.

A final decision on the takeover at Manchester United is reportedly set to be delivered later this week.

After months and months of speculation and various reports, Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe have been battling it out to secure a takeover from the Glazer