Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made Manchester United plan clear as takeover conclusion hope given

INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains the front runner to buy Manchester United after long last, despite a recent fifth - and final - bid from Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Ratcliffe, who has been a main candidate alongside Sheikh Jassim throughout the saga, is reportedly 'on the brink' of success with his takeover pursuit. It is claimed, by Daily Mail, that a deal could be completed as early as 'the coming days'.

The process has been ongoing ever since November, when the Glazer family came out and welcomed offers for United - whom they have owned since 2005, two years on from buying their first shares. The Qatari bid has been for 100 per cent of the football club, while Ratcliffe wants to buy the Glazer's majority stake and leave them - temporarily - with a minority.

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Ratcliffe has reportedly made a £5billion offer to buy United, with the Glazer family said to value the club at £6bn. Sheikh Jassim is claimed to have outbid Ratcliffe, without meeting the American family's valuation. The one benefit Ratcliffe is said to have, though, is that he has been in direct talks with United officials.

And United supporters - who are desperate for a conclusion as manager Erik ten Hag enters a crucial summer transfer window - have already learned what Ratcliffe hopes to bring to Old Trafford. The Glazer family have been deeply unpopular with the fan base for many years now and so, if Ratcliffe does come out victorious, he will need to stick by INEOS' words earlier this year.

Announcing their bid in a statement, the company vowed to make United the "number one club in the world once again" as they laid out their plan should their