sport news Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'is the preferred bidder for the Glazers as they look to sell ... trends now

The Glazers have reportedly identified their preferred bidder for Manchester United, more than six months on from the club first being put up for sale.

According to The Sun, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to be identified by the Glazers as their preferred bidder as the process takes a significant step forward and the American family's controversial ownership of the club looks to come to a close some 18 years after they first took over. 

Having announced during the World Cup that they were seeking fresh revenue streams, be that an investment in the club or an outright sale, much speculation has surrounded United and the potential next owners. 

For months, it has appeared a battle between two candidates - British billionaire Ratcliffe and Qatari former banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

The report states that Ratcliffe's £5bn bid is the preferred option, with the Glazers themselves remaining at the club as minority shareholders.

It is said that complications have emerged throughout the bidding process which has dragged on for the entirety of this year owing to Joel and Avram Glazer's desire to remain at the club.

The Raine Group, the New York-based merchant bank that has overseen the sale, are said to be nearing confirmation that the process will advance with Ratcliffe's bid very much the front runner.

Though Sheikh Jassim's bid of £5bn for 100 per cent control of the club was the highest bid received after three rounds of bidding, Ratcliffe's offer for an initial stake of 50 per cent valued the club closer to the reported £6bn valuation set by the American family.

Should Ratcliffe's bid be the one the Glazers' move forward with, it could open the door to other investors entering the process.