Manchester United takeover saga: What you need to know

The Manchester United ownership saga has become a lengthy and uncertain affair. Sheikh Jassim has pulled out from the competition, while Jim Ratcliffe is poised to secure a minority ownership share in the Premier League club.

What

Manchester United and their supporters are increasingly frustrated with the team's lackluster performance in the current Premier League season and European campaign.

• Some might say that the shadow of disappointment and confusion among the supporters has thickened due to the ownership fiasco in the red side of Manchester.
• Following reports that Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the ownership race due to valuation disagreements with the current owners, the Glazers, fan discontent with the Glazers has further escalated.
• However, it's increasingly likely that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe will purchase some of the club's minority stakes, which has left many fans unhappy.

A failed Qatari takeover

After a long stretch of drama and constant roadblocks in the valuation process, Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim has apparently withdrawn his bid to acquire complete ownership of Manchester United.

• Sheikh Jassim's proposal, estimated at over £5 billion, appeared to be the sole bid for full ownership of the club.

• This has angered the fans in totality as Sheikh Jassim's takeover plans were looking likely to bring changes to the failing elements of the current Manchester United.

• Apart from his bid to buy 100% of the club, Sheikh Jassim committed an extra $1.5 billion for Manchester United, earmarked for 

1. stadium upgrades, 
2. player acquisitions, and 
3. community development projects, 

Jim Rattclife saving the Glazers?

• Apart from Sheikh Jassim, British billionaire and petrochemical magnate, Jim Ratcliffe, has bid to acquire 25% of Manchester United. He has repeatedly expressed his lifelong fandom for the club, and it appears an agreement is nearing finalisation.

• In a recent report by Sky News, it was revealed that Sir Jim's Ineos Sports offered a proposal to the controlling Glazer family.

• The proposal entails obtaining an equal stake in both their privately held shares and the publicly traded stock on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

• This deal has left a significant portion of Manchester United supporters frustrated. With this deal, the Glazers will continue to have the upper hand in club ownership, aggravating the club's already not-so-okay status.