Sir Jim Ratcliffe has huge 'fear' with Man Utd deal potentially facing dramatic collapse
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to buy a 25 per cent stake in Man Utd at the current moment in time
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe fears the Glazer's willigness to accept minority investment at Manchester United could 'bring more competitors', according to reports.
Over the weekend, Sheikh Jassim confirmed he would be withdrawing his offer to buy the club.
The Glazers confirmed last November they were open to potentially selling United, shortly after being criticsed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
And Ratcliffe is set to now buy a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils, having previously missed out on purchasing Chelsea to Todd Boehly last year.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set for talks with Man Utd owners the Glazers
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According to the Independent, however, Ratcliffe now fears competition.
Other interested parties could come to the fore knowing the Glazers are inclined to stay at Old Trafford, despite many fans and staff members wanting them to go.
The report also says Ratcliffe purchasing a 25 per cent stake isn't guaranteed, either.
INEOS will only make the investment if there's a 'genuine path to majority control'.
Long negotiations with the Glazers means finally confirmation on the arrangement is still 'some way off'.
This week, United will vote on whether to move forward with the proposal INEOS have put on the table.
Ratcliffe long felt the Glazers, specifically brothers Joel and Avram, weren't interested in a total sale.
However, he could potentially walk away if he doesn't get the guarantees he wants over a full takeover in the future.
INEOS has, however, already drawn up potential plans for what a new football structure could look like.
Erik ten Hag is manager of United and has overseen a mixed start to the season so far.
The Red Devils currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, having won just four of their eight top-flight matches.
But the Dutchman's position is safe for the time being.
Ratcliffe and INEOS are happy with the work the 53-year-old has done ever since United appointed him last year.
It remains to be seen, however, whether the club will retain the likes of Richard Arnold and John Murtough.
Arnold has faced criticism for the way United handled the Mason Greenwood situation prior to the 21-year-old's loan move to Getafe.
Murtough has also been scutinised with United's signings struggling to shine over the past couple of years.
For a while, Sheikh Jassim had seemed to be the frontrunner in the race to purchase the club.
However, reports say he angered the Glazers in his opening statement when he confirmed his intentions.
Sheikh Jassim, at that time, outlined a desire to restore United to their 'former glories'.
That annoyed the Glazers, with the family believing that to be a dig at the way they've ran the club since their own takeover all the way back in 2005.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants total control of Man Utd
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The Manchester United Supporters Trust, meanwhile, have slammed the Glazers for their decision to oblige Ratcliffe.
"It would be wildly optimistic to think the Glazers are acting in the interests of supporters or are making ownership decisions which don't centre on their own priorities," they said in a statement.
Former United star Gary Neville has also reacted to the news, saying: "How does a minority stakeholder positively impact the club to achieve the above?
"Can a minority shareholder have any impact on the above. It leaves more questions than answers.
"My preference is and always will be now for a Glazer family full exit. They have overstayed their welcome in Manchester yet seem oblivious to this fact."