The Manchester United takeover saga should soon get an epilogue as the American family’s controversial ownership of the club looks to come to a close some 18 years after they first took over. For months, it has appeared a battle between two candidates – British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari former banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.Having announced during the World Cup that they were seeking fresh revenue streams, be that an investment in the club or an outright sale, much speculation has surrounded the Glazers, United and the potential next owners.The Americans have reportedly identified their preferred bidder for Manchester United, more than six months on from the club first being put up for sale. Week in and week out the situation had its boosts and slips towards resolution – some complications have emerged throughout the bidding process which has dragged on for the entirety of this year owing to Joel and Avram Glazer’s desire to remain at the club.The newest information, according to The Sun, is that Ratcliffe is set to be identified by the Glazers as their preferred bidder as the process takes a significant step forward.🚨 Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the Glazer family’s preferred bidder. Insiders have indicated the Glazers would rather sell majority control of Manchester United to Ratcliffe than sell the whole club to Sheikh Jassim.(Source: @SunSport) pic.twitter.com/BZSW6EaGD2— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 11, 2023 The report states that Ratcliffe’s £5bn bid is the preferred option, with the Glazers themselves remaining at the club as minority shareholders.The Raine Group, the New York-based merchant bank that has overseen the sale, are said to be nearing confirmation that the process will advance with Ratcliffe’s bid very much the frontrunner.Even though Sheikh Jassim’s bid of £5bn for 100 percent control of the club was the highest bid received after three rounds of bidding, Ratcliffe’s offer for an initial stake of 50 percent valued the club closer to the reported £6bn valuation set by the American family.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Also, Ratcliffe’s bid could open the door to other investors entering the process. There have been consistent murmurings throughout the bidding process of American banks and financial institutions such purchasing a minority stake in the club.Such an investment has been considered within the context of the Glazers’ keeping overall control, while also allowing fresh revenue in to improve Old Trafford and the club’s Carrington base.’We would see our role as the long-term custodians of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community.’We are ambitious and highly competitive and would want to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world once again. We also recognise that football governance in this country is at a crossroads’, Ratcliffe said back in February.’We would want to help lead this next chapter, deepening the culture of English football by making the club a beacon for a modern, progressive, fan-centred approach to ownership.’We want a Manchester United anchored in its proud history and roots in the North-West of England, putting the Manchester back into Manchester United and clearly focusing on winning the Champions League.’##NAJAVA_MECA_7244823##Ratcliffe’s bid is believed to be structured in such a way that the Glazers would remain at the club – albeit in a much smaller, and less powerful, capacity than they enjoy currently.It riled up many of the Red Devils supporters to the extent that protests were seen ahead of the club’s most recent home match against Aston Villa in which a significant section of supporters made their voices be heard that the sale should mean a clean break from the previous 18 years.Nevertheless, a recent report by Sky News suggested their presence at the club would cease by 2026 owing to a clause inserted into Ratcliffe’s bid.They reported that Ratcliffe’s takeover bid includes ‘put-and-call options which would become exercisable in 2026’.The clause could be triggered as little as three years into the deal and would ultimately push the Glazer family out of the picture.