Manchester United have been the subject of intense debate over the past three days since Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and then Ineos came forward to confirm their interest in buying the Old Trafford club.
It is not known whether other bidders have come forward, although interest was expected from the United States and potentially Saudi Arabia.
However, it is thought US-based Elliott Investment Management are offering to put together an investment package that would allow the Glazer family to retain some kind of interest in United, the club they have owned since a £790m ($1.34bn) deal went through in 2005.
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United announced in November that they were “considering all strategic alternatives” to “strengthen the club” which included new investment – not just an outright sale.
It is expected there will be further discussions between the Raine Group, who are handling expressions of interest, and the Glazer family about the next steps.
In the meantime, those who have made offers will be allowed access to United’s ‘data room’, which holds all their financial information, including details around contracts and sponsorship agreements.
Since the initial announcement last year, club sources have stressed that ‘strategic alternatives’ did not just mean a sale, even though this is what many have focused on.
It has now been established both Sheikh Jassim and Ineos have received communication from the Raine Group asking them to stop making what they regard as vitriolic public statements including terms such as returning United to its “glory years”, which they viewed as implied criticism of the Glazers.
This has been interpreted by some as heightening the potential for the family to retain control.
BBC Sport has been told Joel Glazer has been one of the strongest voices to favour the club remaining at its current Old Trafford site, rather than build a completely new stadium.
Songs against the Glazer family are heard at every game.
On Monday ‘The 1958’, a group of supporters who made it a mission to get rid of the Glazer family, issued a forceful statement on social media.
