Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover claim is great news for Manchester United but not Sheikh Jassim

"Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again. This time more intelligently."

Manchester United have failed time and time again, on and off the pitch, since the much-maligned Glazer family assumed control. It was only a history-making manager that papered over the cracks and allowed United to carry on succeeding beyond the 2005 takeover.

But when Sir Alex Ferguson retired eight years later, the silverware-lined masking tape was stripped away.

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Supporters are longing for their United back. They have been since before the Glazer family announced a "strategic review" of their ownership in November last year.

Cynics would argue there has been nothing - or very little - strategic going on at United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson years, aside from one or two trophies drip-feeding their way into a usually flooded cabinet. That trademark United mettle certainly remains in one man attempting to wrestle shares away from the Americans.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe needs no introduction and the INEOS founder is no stranger to Old Trafford or its surrounding area. Born in Failsworth, the 70-year-old grew up supporting United on his way to amassing billions through his business ventures which could, if he gets his way, be thrust back into the Premier League giants.

Proposals headed up by Ratcliffe - and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim - are still being considered by the Glazer family in what has been a drawn-out process. As such, Ratcliffe has opted to take matters into his own hands.

Of course, his would be the bid that sparked up nostalgia and helped United return to its roots, but even he knows that alone is not enough.