Sheikh Jassim's Man Utd takeover is just 'hours away' with Glazers wanting swift ending

Furthermore, it's suggested the Glazers are ready to sign the purchase contracts and fulfil their end of the sale. That would suggest a buyer has been decided following negotiations with the Raine Group, the venture capital company in charge of structuring the transaction.

It's understood Ineos founder Ratcliffe was in favour of a deal that would keep the Glazers on the club's board as minority stakeholders during a transition period. However, many among the club's fan base want the Americans off the board altogether.Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand recently suggested a disagreement between the siblings was responsible for delaying a takeover confirmation - but that may now be a thing of the past.

"I had some news from a very good source, my great source at Manchester United," said the retired defender on his Vibe with Five podcast. "Things were running quite smoothly and it was going down the right path but then obviously [it hit a bump]. I think the big issue is, when you’re dealing with a group of people rather than an individual, it makes things very complexion and difficult at times.

"You’re not dealing with one individual with the Glazers – I think Jim Ratcliffe came out and said it. That’s been the issue behind the scenes, I didn’t want to come out and say it, but you’re dealing with siblings in the Glazer family who are there to make a collective decisi

on."I don’t think one person can just make a decision on their own, so therefore that makes it very difficult to say yes immediately just like that [clicks fingers]. It’s a process that they have to go through."

The Glazer ownership of United has long had its critics, with fans turning up at Old Trafford in the very earliest days of their ownership. That trend continues today, with supporters regularly turning up to matches with 'Glazers Out' banners and scarves.

However, many fans have also raised concerned with Sheikh Jassim's bid and the prospect of another sovereign state having ownership of another European giant. Following Abu Dhabi's takeover of Manchester City and Saudi Arabia's purchase of Newcastle United, Qatar's involvement would raise further concerns about the escalating presence of countries with poor human rights records in the Premier League.