The Qatari banker submitted a new bid on Tuesday that was worth around £5bn, promised to wipe the club’s debt and included a separate fund to invest in the community.

Until that point, Sir Jim Ratcliffe was considered the frontunner as he’s offering two of the six Glazer siblings the chance to remain shareholders in the club.

There was hope that a decision would be announced this week but Sheikh Jassim’s improved bid has eradicated any chance of that happening, according to the Telegraph.

The saga now threatens to continue into the summer and possibly when the tranfser window opens on July 1st.

That would be a disaster for United supporters, who are desperate for the Glazers to leave the club as soon as possible.

Jassim submitted an improved bid on Tuesday

Any prospective owner will want to be in place before the transfer window opens, given the importance of the window to United’s hopes next season.

But the Glazers are in no rush and there’s no guarantee that the Americans will decide to sell the club.

They could still take a minority investment, which would allow them to raise funds to renovate Old Trafford and the training ground.