Ineos wants control of Man Utd's football operations
- Published
Dan Roan, BBC sports editor
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos group wants to assume control of the football operations side of Manchester United's business from the Glazer family if a 25% offer worth an estimated £1.3bn is approved.
The British billionaire is thought to be increasingly confident of securing what he hopes will be the first stage of an eventual buyout.
The BBC was told that his principal rival - Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani - had withdrawn from the process to buy United.
He failed to meet the Glazers' valuation with his 100% offer and grew frustrated with their demands.
Both groups had tabled bids of about £5bn.
It is not clear how an Ineos minority stake would be structured and if the Glazers would accept it.
BBC Sport has learned that a United board meeting is set to take place on Thursday, during which it is possible the agreement could be finalised.
Ineos is thought to hope that if it were to be in charge of the football side of the club's business with a quarter share, it may reassure supporters unhappy that the Glazers will remain at United.
