A few days have passed and I have somewhat been able to stay my reactionary thoughts on the Qatari deal being taken off the table.
There had already been news in August that we were going to have some ownership news sometime in October. So none of this news came as a surprise. However, the gut punch was not less painful for supporters who were eager to see Sheikh Jassim take ownership of the club.
The Ratcliffe Bid
Firstly, I can't quite invalidate the views of the fans who were all in for Sir Jimmy. Most protested the idea of being 'state owned' and the so called 'sports-washing' word the politicos love throwing around whenever the Middle-East is involved.
But as far as we know, the bid involves an initial 25% stake in the club as well as 'taking over of sporting decisions' which has been widely reported but not verified.
When put like that, the Ratcliffe bid doesn't sound too bad. We may have to contend with the Glazer leaches for a further few years but at least they won't have any say in who we sign, or the team supporting Ten Hag in the transfer, right?
Meh! I doubt it.
The simplest question is, how do you divorce the financial decisions from the football decisions? Maybe Ratcliffe might be able to get the guys he wants to back Ten Hag, but who sets the transfer budget?
His is just a minority stake, so how does he insulate himself from the majority voting rights of the Glazers?
The truth is, nobody will truly know until the deal is formalised.
Will it even get ratified by the board?
My fear is...
That Sir Jim Ratcliffe is solely interested in a piece of a very fat pie.
Sure, the club is falling apart, the football is atrocious, and we are barely competing with the Premier League minnows, but at least we are making record profits year-on-year. Who wouldn't be interested in that?
So, not only would Ratcliffe have provided the Glazers the lifeline they so desperately needed to continue sucking the life out of the club, but he would have become one of the leeches too.
Some are hopeful that a billionaire who is in the final chapter of his mortal existence will want to have a better legacy.
I am slightly encouraged by the thought. Because, while the Qatar bid promised instant change, one thing that always beats money is a great story.
A great story of how Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a United fan, took back the club he loved from the clutches of the blood-sucking Glazer family and set Manchester United on the path to success.
Many a tear will be shed on the day we lift the Premier League trophy under the stewardship of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
A fan can only dream!