Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering ditching his bid to takeover Manchester United in favour of buying a minority stake – which would leave the Glazer family in control of the club.
In a shock move that would no doubt trigger outrage among many of United’s supporters, the petrochemicals billionaire is mulling over a change of tack in an attempt to break the deadlock in what has been a tedious process which is now approaching its tenth month.
A spokesperson for Ratcliffe declined to comment, but it is understood that one of the options being looked at is the purchase of around 25 per cent of United’s shares.