Manchester United’s takeover saga has reached an unlikely conclusion. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s offer of £1.4billion for a 25 per cent stake is edging closer. Though, a complete takeover, which was orginally mooted, remains some way off. 

Ratcliffe’s group will take control of football operations at Old Trafford and have already communicated a willingnessness to complete a radical overhaul of the department in a move that is welcomed by manager Erik ten Hag.

Following a prolonged impasse, progress on the takeover front is encouraging but, for the time being at least, Ratcliffe owns just a quarter of the United pie. 

This has prompted many United fans to wonder whether Jassim could be tempted back to the negotiating table to meet the Glazer’s valuation and take full control of the club. 

Sheikh Jassim will not be returning to meet the askign price for the club set by the Glazers

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is to complete a deal for 25 per cent of Manchester United this week

Read Related Also: World Cup finalist is appointed as manager of ninth-tier non-league side… despite the Premier League cult hero having no previous managerial experience

Those United fans who wanted rid of the Glazer family’s ownership have been disappointed

But as revealed by Mail Sport’s Mike Keegan in the Premier League live Q&A, Jassim and the Qataris have no intention of returning for one more try at the main prize. 

‘Very much hoping this does not come back to bite me,’ Keegan said. ‘But I asked this exact question of someone involved in the process yesterday. Their response? “Zero chance”.’

Sources disclosed that Jassim held further and final discussions and negotiations over the last few days. But after again having his offer – which was for 100 per cent of the club – rejected he decided to pull the plug on what has been a nine-month saga.

The Qatari believed he would have been the ‘dream owner’ according to those with knowledge of the situation, and is saddened by how the nine-month saga played out.