Some Manchester United fans are missing the point with latest takeover development

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is closing in on a deal for a minority stake at Manchester United and although the Glazers will retain majority shares should that offer be accepted, it has the potential to be the beginning of the end for the American family.

The Glazers announced in November they were 'exploring strategic alternatives' for the club and after almost a year, there is finally a sense that a breakthrough is feasible, albeit not the full acquisition that many dreamt of.

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, whose proposal was for 100 per cent of the club, has walked away from talks due to the Glazers' outlandish valuation and that has put Ratcliffe in pole position in a gruelling takeover race.

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The wheels came flying off long ago at Old Trafford and Sheikh Jassim was confident he was the best owner for the club. His offer was for double the market valuation but sources described the Glazers' asking price as 'fanciful'.

Sheikh Jassim's proposal promised an additional $1.7 billion for stadium redevelopment, the training ground and the first-team, while the Qatari bid would have also cleared the club's debt and created a separate fund for the community.

That's why thousands of supporters wanted Sheikh Jassim to be successful, but Ratcliffe looks set to prevail instead and that's been met with mixed reaction, with some bemoaning the loss of significant state-owned investment.

Although it's not as simple as tarring every individual with the same brush, the majority of match-going fans have preferred Ratcliffe's bid throughout the process whereas there was strong overseas support for Sheikh Jassim.

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