Premier League - but it looks like the waiting is almost over

Reuben brothers and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund after the reality of United losing revenue during both the lockdown and the long-term picture ahead dawned over St James’.

Clubs will have a better idea on how TV money will be paid and what the financial implications ahead of the 2020/21 season will look like in the coming weeks.

One thing is for sure and that is Newcastle and their Premier League counterparts have been told games behind closed doors could be likely for the rest of the year – something which will hit United hard given they attract 52,000 fans per home game.

For now the would-be owners are simply waiting for what they hope is the green light to proceed with their plan.

A careful examination of exactly what the state of play is behind the scenes at United will take place first.

When Ashley purchased United he opted against due diligence and later complained about staggered payments on players they inherited.

For example, Newcastle were still paying in instalments for Damien Duff and all of the Northern Rock sponsorship money had been used to help sign striker Michael Owen.

Managing-director at the time Derek Llambias said: “We are trying to get away from dating so that we don’t have huge amounts of money going out.

“We are trying to pay up front. People like Coloccini, Xisco and Gutierrez, which is just getting sorted out now – we own those players.

“It is like buying a car on HP but then it gets written off but you still have to pay it.

“That is how the business was being run, they ran it on a credit.”

New owners at St James’ this time around are believed to be ready with both a financial and sporting plan to take the club on to the next level.