Whichever way it goes, Manchester United fans will just be glad when the takeover process is finally concluded as long as the Glazers are gone.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposal might not offer that reprieve, though, with reports suggesting he could allow Avram and Joel Glazer to stay as minority shareholders. It may be a reason why some supporters see Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani as the more appealing option.
His desire for 100 per cent of the club and his vow to clear the mass debt through his Nine Two Foundation makes things simple, for all his backdrop doesn’t.
The same justified criticisms over homeland human rights concerns levelled at the Saudi owners of Newcastle will constantly be fired at Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim too, should his bid be successful.
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It is right that they should be highlighted and questioned. Meanwhile, without making any galling comparisons, little has been said about INEOS’ booming profits from oil and gas ventures amid a domestic cost of living crisis.
These muddy waters only add to the lack of clarity around the takeover process. However, all United fans are very transparent in what they ultimately want: Success on the pitch.
In their statement confirming their initial bids both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim were inevitably forthright in their desire to see this unfold.
Sir Jim outlined his ambition to make United “the number one club in the world once again” through a “fan-centred approach”. This echoed the rhythm of Sheikh Jassim’s pledges made shortly beforehand.
His statement read: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch and - above all - will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.”
Erik ten Hag is himself already managing to go some way to meeting those ambitions. The reaction to his rousing speech on the final day after a top four finish and a League Cup final triumph ahead of another trip to Wembley for the FA Cup final tells its own story.
Of course, boardroom matters away from the field are mostly beyond his control. He knows this well, the United boss is still unsure how big his transfer kitty will be this summer with the window opening in a matter of days.
But Ten Hag has laid the foundations upon which the Reds can build upon to return to those most revered glory days having already had a taste of it in February. At this present moment, he is the most popular United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.
The fans, in that aspect, are united once again and Ten Hag is showing the first fruits of being the successor Sir Alex had envisioned. There’s still a journey to go on yet but the club can make their forays in the Champions League once again next season.
The trophy cabinet has a new piece of silverware for the first time in six years with a clear direction for the future that more must follow. United are in safe hands in the dugout - let’s see if fans can say the same about the owner’s office this summer.
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