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Sir Jim Ratcliffe insists failing to succeed at Manchester United is not an option as he awaits news on his takeover bid at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis<\/p>\n
INEOS founder Ratcliffe and a Qatar-based group led by banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are the front runners in the battle to acquire the club from the Glazer family.<\/p>\n
The American owners first announced in November they were \u2018exploring strategic alternatives\u2019 with three bidding processes taking place since then.<\/p>\n
There have been no further developments, however, with recent reports suggesting the Glazers could take the club off the market as they hold out for a revised \u00a310billion asking price.<\/p>\n
Al Thani\u2019s bid for the club was to acquire 100 per cent of United while the offer from Ratcliffe is thought to be for 60 per cent. Offers from both parties are thought to have been in the excess of \u00a35billion.<\/p>\n
Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan, has already bought two European football clubs in Swiss side Lausanne and Ligue outfit Nice.<\/p>\n
Still fighting to take over at Old Trafford, the 70-year-old says failing to succeed would mark a huge personal blow with the public fallout \u2018too excruciating\u2019 to bear.<\/p>\n
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\u2018The Manchester United bid would have been unthinkable two or three years ago if we hadn\u2019t had some of the experiences \u2013 quite a few of them some quite difficult experiences with Lausanne and Nice,\u2019 he said in an interview with INEOS\u2019 YouTube channel.<\/p>\n
\u2019You can\u2019t really contemplate acquiring a brand like Manchester United and failing because the failure is just far too public and excruciating, failing in a deal like that.\u2019<\/p>\n
Following reports claiming the Glazers have abandoned their plans to sell the club, former club captain Gary Neville remains confident of a change.<\/p>\n
\u2018I don\u2019t believe the Glazers not selling\/doing anything story,\u2019 he wrote on social media.<\/p>\n
\u2018They have to do something. They\u2019ve run out of money and the financial situation is desperate. They need investment in. They\u2019re also having a toxic impact on the club from the inside out.<\/p>\n
\u2018The negligence continues for now but I don\u2019t think it can go on without some action on raising funds. Also who would come in as a minority alongside them with the damage it would do to their reputation.\u2019<\/p>\n