The Glazer family have done what everyone expected during Manchester United takeover process

Joyous scenes of celebrations from Deansgate to Old Trafford were envisaged when the Glazers announced Manchester United was up for sale on the 22nd of November 2022.

The Glazers announced on that date they were 'exploring strategic opportunities' for the club, which could include selling it and that gave supporters something they had craved; a glimpse of hope their ownership could end.

Some dreamt of a quick transaction and speculated new owners could be in place by summer, then it emerged that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani were in the race for the club.

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Sheikh Jassim's proposal was for 100 per cent of United and Ratcliffe's wanted a majority stake. There were divisions in the fanbase over which billionaire would be best, but the majority of match-goers did not want Qatar.

A takeover from Sheikh Jassim would have created uncomfortable questions and some fans would have walked away because same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar and their treatment of migrant workers has been hideous.

Amnesty International, the world's leading human rights organisation, criticised a potential Qatari-led takeover of United and they claimed it would be a 'sportswashing project' and a wake-up call to the Premier League.

There have been exactly 12 months since the initial announcement that revealed the club was on the market and those uncomfortable conversations aren't going to be needed, to the relief of many supporters.

Ratcliffe has prevailed in the race for the keys to Old Trafford, albeit for a minority stake at the club, and his breakthrough is imminent, which is a word that's