Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS formally entered the bidding process to buy United last month, after the club’s American owners, the Glazer family, said in November they had begun looking at options including new investment or a possible sale.
Bloomberg News reported last month that Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the owner of Paris Saint-Germain, was considering either an outright takeover or a stake in Manchester United or their rivals Liverpool.
United fans have been clamoring for a change of ownership and the Glazers have been the target of intense criticism since the team last won silverware in 2017, lifting the Europa League and League Cup trophies.
In April, thousands of people protested outside Old Trafford, lighting lights and singing songs demanding the Glazers “get out of the club”.