Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now ‘in pole position’ to buy Man Utd and nobody expected it

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly in pole position to buy Manchester United after the latest round of bidding came to a close.

Ever since the announcement that the Glazer family were looking to sell United, the race to be the club's new owners has been spearheaded by Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani

On Friday night, it was confirmed that both Ratcliffe and Qatari Shiekh Jassim submitted their third bids ahead of the 10pm deadline.

According to Mail Sport, British businessman and INEOS boss Ratcliffe has made an offer that values United at more than £5 billion.

It is believed that as a result, he has stolen the march on his Qatari rival in the race to buy the Old Trafford club.

Mail Sport reported that Ratcliffe is looking to either buy 69 per cent of the club or slightly more than 50 per cent if the Glazer brothers Joel and Avram wanted to stay put.

On Friday evening there were reports that Shiekh Jassim’s bid included a pledge of extra funds for transfers and improving the infrastructure.

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But it has since been reported that is not the case and the offer by INEOS valued the club higher than the Qatari bid.

Aside from Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, the Glazers have received other smaller US-based investment offers in exchange for a partial stake at the club.

It is believed that offers of between £1 billion and £2 billion will enable the club to redevelop Old Trafford or even build a new stadium and improve the training facilities.

Although their off-the-field issues are yet to be resolved, United are currently in a fight to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

After Thursday night’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, Erik ten Hag’s men remain in pole position to finish in a Champions League place.

The Red Devils are back in Premier League action on Sunday as they welcome Unai Emery’s high-flying Aston Villa side to Old Trafford.