With Sheikh Jassim out of the race to buy United, the way is now clear for Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos Group to secure a 25% stake in the Old Trafford club.

While some of the details are sketchy, not least where the 25% is coming from and how Ratcliffe will be represented given his £1.3bn investment, it would be the most significant change in the club's ownership structure since the Glazers took control in 2005.

It is not entirely certain the matter will be voted on this week - but it could be - and given the Glazer family hold over 90% of the voting rights, it would be automatic the proposal would get passed.