Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus's move to purchase Manchester United has been rebuffed.

The founder and chairman of the NovaM Group was hoping to purchase roughly half the club through his funds, while having the club's supporters buy up shares for the rest of the club.

Per The Mirror, his bid has been dismissed outright by The Raine Group, given the other parties involved.

The bid from Qatar, fronted by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, is the frontrunner at present.

However, INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still working hard to ensure his bid is the winning one.

There is also the likelihood of the Glazer family choosing not to sell the team.