Explained: Why Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority investment in Man Utd will not be announced this week

Ratcliffe is set to complete his purchase of a 25 percent stake in the Old Trafford club for a reported £1.4 billion ($1.7bn) from the Glazer family, United's current owners. However, he must submit an official offer for the shares that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Due to the Thanksgiving holidays in the United States beginning on Thursday, November 23, the NYSE will be closed for a few days, meaning Ratcliffe will have to wait before he can finalise the process, Sky Sports reports. The deal continues to drag on despite Ratcliffe emerging as the top candidate to purchase a part of the club after the Qatari consortium pulled out in October.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS group were initially in the frame to take full ownership from the Glazers before restructuring their bid. The English billionaire plans on taking over the club's football operations, which could result in a shake-up in the club's hierarchy.

Ratcliffe and United will have to wait until at least next week before his takeover at Old Trafford. In the meantime, Erik ten Hag and his team will travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League at the weekend.