Both the principal bidders for Manchester United are in the dark over the Glazers' thinking and the timetable for any sale.
Sources close to both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and to Sheikh Jassim of Qatar feel that stories about Ratcliffe now being in pole position may in fact be part of strategic play by New York bankers Raine to squeeze yet bigger bids from both parties.
Ratcliffe's bid team are understood to have been given no indication of where they currently stand but feel comfortable that their offer to leave the Glazers with 20 per cent of the club is attractive.