da brdice： Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly considering abandoning his bid to buy Manchester United and will instead try to purchase a minority stake in the club.

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Ratcliffe bidding for Man Utd takeoverCompeting with Sheikh Jassim from QatarBillionaire may buy minority stake insteadWHAT HAPPENED?

Ratcliffe's company, Ineos Sports, has been one of the frontrunners to take ownership of the Red Devils since the Glazer family put it up for sale.

However, the process has been dragging on for almost 10 months and reports the British billionaire is willing to settle for a minority stake in the club.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ratcliffe had put in a bid that would see his group become a major stakeholder, but his switch to the pursuit of a minority share of the club would allow the Glazer family to remain in control of United.

It is unclear how the deal would be structured and if Ratcliffe and Ineos see it as a possible path to majority control of the Old Trafford team.

Such a deal may anger United supporters, who are eager to see the Glazer family relinquish ownership of the club completely.

WHO ELSE COULD BUY MAN UTD?

Ineos are one of two main candidates to purchase United from the Glazers.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar has also been vying for control of the Red Devils and his bid remains on the table.

There have also been several bids from other sources for minority stakes in the club received by the Glazer family.

GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

While the takeover process continues, United will return to on-field action when they meet Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.