Qatari Man United takeover 'is IMMINENT', claims Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has won the race to buy Manchester United with his successful takeover bid to be announced 'imminently'.

Mail Sport reported over the weekend that both bidders in the battle for United - Sheikh Jassim and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe - were finalising their offers ahead of an expected decision on exclusivity later this week.

At one stage Ratcliffe's Ineos company appeared to be out in front, yet those acting on behalf of Sheikh Jassim have been more optimistic about their chances following the dramatic submission of an improved offer last week.

However, United legend Ferdinand has claimed that the Qatari bid has been accepted by the Glazers and will be announced 'in the coming hours'.

'The Man United takeover is imminent,' Ferdinand said on his Five channel on YouTube. 'We are hearing the Qatari bid is the one that has been accepted, the one that is imminent and the one that is going to go through. Hallelujah, man. I cannot wait. Please let this happen.

'Look how long this has gone on for. The Glazers have dug their heels in. It will go to the biggest bidder which is normal in negotiations but I want this to be resolved before the transfer window kicks in and now it is opening and starting to move.'

Ferdinand continued: 'I have woken up every day hoping that every day there will be a bid accepted. We are hearing that it is close. It will happen in a matter of days.

'If not a matter of hours. If it does not, we do not know how much money we have to spend and United will be playing catch up. So fingers crossed this information is really true – I have it from a good source that it is true.'