You can’t get away from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United – even the sale of the club has gone to Fergie time.

And as with many matches in years past, it’s on a knife edge with the alarming possibility the Glazers could stay.

The deadline for bids was 9pm Wednesday UK time (5am Thursday in Malaysia) and amid frantic searches under distant mattresses, extra time was granted for extra funds to be found.

You could just picture the 81-year-old, face glowering, wrist cocked, pointing to his watch, and demanding more time for money to come in.

As it was, the harassed deal brokers, New York bankers the Raine Group, added time on amid confusion that bids did not even meet the asking price of £5 billion.

But the image of the greatest manager in United’s history still raging at ‘the referee’ on behalf of the club isn’t difficult to imagine.

More money is certainly what the ‘Greed is Good’ family from Florida wants, but, so, too, the fans: more to spend on players, more to spend on the ground.

But yesterday, there was a fear that unless a bid closer to £6bn comes in, the Glazers may not sell at all.

It’s a scenario that would leave United fans apoplectic after all they’ve endured.

An equally unpalatable result would be for a hedge fund to buy a chunk of the club and the Glazers remain, reinforced by that investment.

Elliott Management, who once owned AC Milan, are still interested.

Just when Devils fans have begun fantasising about which stellar signings could be made – even Kylian Mbappe has been mentioned – either would be hard to take.

At the time of writing, it was impossible to call, as the Glazer family, itself, is reportedly split on how to proceed.

The wider family are in favour of an outright sale while Avram and Joel, Glazer, who are co-directors, prefer a partial sale and have even explored ways of buying out their siblings.

Whatever cash comes in, a lot more must be spent to bring the club back to its former glories – and make the stadium fit for purpose.

Deep, deep pockets will be required along with a commensurate commitment to restore the club’s full glitter.

It is, after all, regarded by many as the jewel in the crown of world sports enterprises and even £5bn would make it the most expensive.

Yet the Glazers have shown no willingness to invest in anything beyond an occasional brand-enhancing name.

United’s revival on the pitch this season deserves better than the status quo: it has far exceeded expectations, especially after a disastrous start.

Devils feared the worst as defeats to Brighton and Brentford came as Cristiano Ronaldo’s toys were already cascading from his pram.

And the stench of departed rotten apples still hung heavy in the dressing room.

All this while new boss Erik ten Hag was still locating his place in the Old Trafford car park.

So, to have the Carabao Cup already in the cabinet, to be in strong contention for two more trophies (FA Cup and Europa League) and almost nailed on for a top four place is in wild dream territory.

The prospect of building on this with the hated owners finally leaving was beyond fantasy.

But now those dreams could be dashed.

That’s what happened at Liverpool where owners Fenway Sports Group are now looking for investment after failing to find a buyer.

But according to insiders yesterday, an outright sale of United was still being worked on.

Front runners are still Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani of Qatar and Britain’s richest man Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos petrochemicals.

Sheikh Jassim is favourite by virtue of his nationality, the assumed bottomless riches that go with it and the sportswashing motivation.

For his part, Ratcliffe wants “to put the Manchester back into Manchester United” and be “a custodian for the club”.

But he has said he won’t pay “a stupid price” for the team he claims to have supported while growing up.

Being a local boy made good, Ratcliffe is probably preferred by most fans, although there are doubts about how much of a fan he really is.

Some suspect he’s more of the Robbie Keane type – the Irish striker famous for claiming childhood support for almost all the two dozen clubs he played for.

Ratcliffe also offered £4.25 billion for Chelsea last year.

Already the owner of Nice in Ligue Un, he hasn’t distinguished himself with either his attendance record or investment in players in France.

Nice fans expecting a rivalry with Qatari-owned Paris Saint Germain have been sorely disappointed.

The chances are though that if he were to buy United, he would dedicate more time, money and effort to it.

He’s already stated he just wants to “win something” and “leave a legacy”.

And as a 70-year-old Briton, he cannot be accused of sportswashing. Or lining his pocket.

The ground alone would cost him £1bn to bring up to scratch while many fans would like it to be knocked down and replaced.

But it’s the team they care most about and, the recent improvement notwithstanding, there are still weaknesses to be remedied.

Top of the range replacements are needed at centreback, midfield and No 9 before United can be seen as title contenders.

But no matter who buys the club, what is crucial is that the manager and recruitment department do the choosing and not the owner.

Players must be bought for the team, not the brand – a mistake that PSG have turned into a fine and expensive art under a different Qatari regime.

United will be wary of any new owner, but if the Glazers stay, fans will be exploring ways to revive the green and gold movement and topple them once and for all.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.