By Adam Williams, Finance & Governance Correspondent

1st May, 2023 | 2:01pm

Man United takeover: Ten-week delay now on the cards - sources

The Man United takeover could take up to 10 weeks to complete once a preferred bidder is selected, Football Insider has learned.

It is understood that reports that the process could be formally concluded by the time the transfer window opens in early June are unrealistic.

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani’s Qatari consortium are bidding for 100 per cent ownership, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group want a majority stake but could offer the Glazers a pathway to stay on as minority shareholders.

Both parties filed their bids ahead of last Friday’s (28 April) deadline set by auction masters Raine Group.

Four US investment firms have also submitted proposals that would see them take a minority stake, although the intricacies of their offers are not known.

Any deal in which the Glazers sell more than 25 per cent of the club’s equity will acquire approval from the Premier League, who voted through an adapted Owners’ and Directors’ Test at shareholders meeting last month.

The deal must also satisfy US Securities and Exchange Commission criteria as well as a plethora of other regulatory conditions.

An industry source has told this site that, while a winner could be named in the coming weeks, the transition of power itself is almost certain to be a more protracted process.

That view is shared by several leading minority shareholders in United.

The circa 10-week delay could prove disruptive both in the transfer and commercial departments.

In other news, Man United turn attention to signing new keeper after De Gea update.