Sky Sports reporter drops major Man Utd takeover update as second bid revealed

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani will submit a second bid for Manchester United on Wednesday, it has been reported.

It comes after he had already made an indicative offer for the club before a soft deadline more than a month ago.

"His advisers are now working on putting together a new bid which is expected to be submitted by close of business on Wednesday.

"Growing confidence among bidders that Glazers are willing to sell the club."

His stance is said to have softened after the Qatari delegation's trip to Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe expected to submit second bid

He faces competition, however, with Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe also expected to make a second bid for the club later this week.

Unlike Sheikh Jassim, Ratcliffe visited United on Friday as part of an INEOS delegation which held similar meetings with the club's executives and Raine, with the British billionaire pictured outside Old Trafford.

"It's an interesting contrast with Sheikh Jassim. Sir Jim was happy to be filmed and photographed, and it was significant that [Man Utd CEO] Richard Arnold was there to greet him when he arrived, shaking his hand and being photographed then too," said Solhekol.

"It gives you another sense that maybe the Glazers are serious about selling Man Utd.

"This was a high-powered delegation from INEOS, he was there with the two co-owners, Andy Currie and John Reece. Sir Dave Brailsford, who used to be the director of cycling at Team Sky - he's now INEOS' director of sport and he was there too."

Elliott Investment Management has also made it through to the second stage of the bidding process.

However, the American firm is believed to offering funding to the club, rather than attempting a full takeover.