Sheikh Jassim and Jim Ratcliffe multi-club ownership position amid Manchester United takeover bids

Manchester United supporters are hoping the takeover process of their club will be concluded soon as the lengthy process continues to rumble on.

The Glazers put the club on the market last November and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have long been the leading contenders. Reports this week have put the former in pole position with Reuters claiming the Sheikh would soon enter a period of exclusivity with the Reds' board.

However, this has been refuted by other sources meaning Ratcliffe is not to be ruled out yet. Should the head of INEOS and Nice owner win the race to buy the club, he will need to operate under the rules of UEFA as well as the Premier League.

This means, European football's governing body regulations on multi-ownership will need to be taken into account. MEN Sport has taken a look at what this means and how it will affect United's bidders.

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As stated in Article 5 of UEFA's rules, no club participating in a UEFA club competition may, either directly or indirectly:

Hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition

Be a member of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition

Be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition

Have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition

This is defined by someone who has:

If this is failed the club which qualifies for the lower ranked European competition will be banned from entering the competition.

Ratcliffe is most likely to be