'FIVE bidders in frame for takeover'

THE Raine Group could reportedly receive offers to purchase Manchester United from as many as five serious bidders by the end of next week.

- MATTHEW ABBOTT

In November, United hired the same American investment bank that last year handled the bidding process to take over Chelsea.

Raine, in recent weeks, are reported to have imposed a 'soft' deadline of February 17, meaning that rival bidders could still be entertained after that date if a better offer were to present itself.

With just one week remaining for interest to be formally registered the expected bidders at this stage of the process range from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is still the only person to have his interest publicly confirmed, to unnamed groups of individuals from across the world.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe The British billionaire, who was the founder and remains the chairperson of global chemicals company INEOS Group, officially declared an interest in buying the club last month.