The current owners of Manchester United, the Glazer family, have been sent a warning over a potential sale of the club as the latest deadline for bids approaches.
Representatives of the Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe bids visited Old Trafford and Carrington last week, with Ratcliffe travelling to Manchester in person to speak to United chiefs.
Both bidders reportedly share the same stance on United boss Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman set to be awarded a new contract regardless of the ownership in place at the club.
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Ten Hag revealed prior to his side's FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham that he had met and shook hands with Ratcliffe, although refused to expand further.
Now, the Glazers have been sent a warning around any sale of the club.
Glazers sent Man Utd warning as next deadline approaches
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Ratcliffe has said he will not pay a 'stupid' price to buy United from the Glazers.
He explained (quotes via The Guardian): "How do you decide the price of a painting? How do you decide the price of a house? It's not related to how much it cost to build or how much it cost to paint.
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"What you don't want to do is pay stupid prices for things because then you regret it subsequently."
He described United as a 'community asset', and said his interest in the club would be 'purely in winning things'.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol has claimed, on Twitter, that five separate bids are expected to be made for United by the next deadline, which is 9pm UK time this Wednesday.
Solhekol claimed on Monday that one of those bids would be made by Sheikh Jassim, through his Nine Two foundation.
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He wrote: "Sheikh Jassim will make his second bid for Man United on Wednesday evening.
"His advisors are now working on putting together a new bid which is expected to be submitted by close of business on Wednesday. Growing confidence among bidders that Glazers are willing to sell the club."
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League
Ryan Smart