Manchester United told they will need more than a takeover to catch Man City

Manchester United have been told a takeover by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani or Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not help them catch Manchester City unless it's followed by investment on the pitch.

The Reds finished 14 points behind their fierce rivals as City went on to match the historic Treble from the United '99 squad. It continued a recent trend of the Blues finishing above United in the Premier League.

Supporters have to go back to the final season under Sir Alex Ferguson for the last time the club bettered Pep Guardiola's Blues. While City have flourished under new ownership, United have stagnated under the Glazers and fans have made it clear they want the current owners to leave to help turn the fortunes of the club around.

But former United striker Danny Webber told MEN Sport it will take more than a change of ownership to catch City given the gulf on the pitch.

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"What is needed is for Erik ten Hag to be at the core of it, his team being able to transact on what they need to transact on," said Webber. "Who the owners are [does not matter], so long as the owners are putting in their investment into the club and into the infrastructure of the club, then I think that is what is key.

"But, Erik ten Hag being able to execute [his plan] and get the players in as early as possible I think is what is most important. If, and it looks like the Glazers are looking to sell, then of course you want the right resolution for the future of the football club and not just a resolution which is a change of ownership.

"In terms of bridging the gap with City that is more so on the field and then off the field that will take care of itself with whoever invests the money into the