Man Utd takeover latest: Jim Ratcliffe 'on verge' of agreeing deal as stadium decision emerges

Manchester United are still waiting for a takeover to be completed, albeit it's almost certain that takeover will be a partial one. It has been the best part of a year since the Glazers announced they would welcome outside investment, but progress has been slow.

Bidders have come and go, including Sheikh Jassim, and it looks as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be the man to bring said outside investment, but he will only get a part of the club rather than a full purchase. As the process rumbles on, we have rounded up all the latest surrounding the partial takeover.

Deal 'close'

Ratcliffe is said to be on the verge of agreeing the takeover of United, with a £1.2billion deal to purchase 25% of the club. The BBC say a deal is on the verge of being agreed, and it's reported that a deal could be agreed over the course of the international break.

The British billionaire is said to want footballing control of the club, although those details remain unclear at this point. The positive for United fans is that a takeover - albeit a quarter of one - looks set to be wrapped up a year on from the Glazers' November 22 investment announcement last year.

Ratcliffe's investigation

While Ratcliffe will have plans for the future, it seems he is also keen to find out the reasons behind some of the failings of the past. The Sun claim the Brit is particularly interested in how £1.4billion has been spent so poorly in the transfer market over the last decade.

Those investigations into the past will likely be in the name of improving future transfer market efforts, efforts that Ratcliffe may well be a part of, especially if he does get control of football operations.

No new stadium

United have been considering plans for a new stadium along with plans to give Old Trafford a much-needed makeover. It's claimed that a new stadium could have the same cost as Old Trafford improvements when all said and done, hence the consideration.

But according to the Daily Mail, Ratcliffe has ruled out a new stadium as he considers a long-term vision for the club. It's claimed he will hand the club £245million for infrastructure, but that will not be spent on a new ground, with the training ground also needing an expensive revamp.