Was it a glimmer or just another false dawn?

The midweek claim that a deal was close came in the UK Sun – never the most reliable source.

But Manchester United need some good news and many fans are clinging to it.

Any hint that the Glazers might finally be selling was always going to lift the mood which was a bit downbeat after a sticky few weeks.

And to the Qataris, too, which means the club would be 100% rid of the plague it’s been under since that leveraged buyout 18 years ago.

Rival bidder Jim Ratcliffe was prepared to let the Americans remain as minority shareholders.

Radio silence from those involved and a reluctance by other media to make much of the story has caused a few doubts to creep in.

There are even suggestions that the Glazers might be changing their minds about selling at all.

And the timing does seem strange just as American money is pouring into European football.

Equity companies are seeing the impact of the sport in general – from Lionel Messi to the women’s game – and many investors feel European clubs are seriously undervalued.

The prospect of United being worth double or even treble the £6 billion price by the end of the decade – as has been suggested – may have made the Glazers think again.

Whatever, there will be yet another demonstration against their ownership on Saturday when Nottingham Forest visit Old Trafford.

This should give the Devils a welcome respite as they thrashed Forest four times last season including in both legs of the League Cup semi-final.

Forest had the worst away record in the division and relied almost entirely on home form to stay up.

So, there should be only one result from this fixture even though United have yet to hit anything approaching their stride.

One who will be out to prove a point though is Anthony Elanga, whom United sold to Forest for a bargain £15m.

The Swedish winger has only played twice as a substitute so far but both times was electrifying. United’s defence will know what to expect.

Not much has gone right recently for Erik ten Hag and a 3-0 midweek loss to Burnley behind closed doors wouldn’t have helped.

United fielded a young side but it did little to staunch the criticism. Indeed, comparisons are already being made to last season’s disastrous start.

The barbs were flying on social media after losing at a Harry Kane-less Spurs last weekend.

This followed a narrow and fortuitous win over Wolves when the whole world (apart from VAR) thought the visitors should have had a penalty.

That the home side found itself outplayed by one of the favourites for relegation has caused some alarm.

Matheus Cunha single-handedly scythed through United who look bereft in midfield.

Mason Mount, a £60m capture from Chelsea, has yet to make an impact and could be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury that is worse than first feared.

A stop-start beginning to his United career is the last thing player and club wanted.

New skipper Bruno Fernandes has been little better since he’s had the armband and if body language is anything to go by, he doesn’t look a leader.

Even the much-maligned Fred and Scot McTominay were not so easily bypassed.

So far, Erik ten Hag has spent close to £150m and doesn’t have much to show for it.

Rasmus Hojland – all £72m of him – has yet to kick a ball in anger.

It’s hard to discern any improvement. In fact, they look worse than before with even Casemiro looking a shadow of last season’s dynamo.

But never judge a job only half-done, so we await a late rush of arrivals before the window closes on September 1.

One that’s imminent looks to be Sofyan Amrabat, who was outstanding in Morocco’s march to the World Cup semi-final.

He should be an upgrade on the three signings so far and, at £34m, for a fraction of what other defensive midfielders have been going for.

Ryan Gravenberch is another mentioned but he’s also on Liverpool’s list.

But to spend much more under Financial Fair Play rules, United will have to remove some of their duds which is proving difficult.

Some blame for the lacklustre showings has to be apportioned to the pre-season trip to the United States.

Eight games in 25 days in different cities is never ideal preparation yet once again, commercial considerations held sway.

Also overshadowing the new campaign has been the Mason Greenwood affair.

Even though the club has eventually decided to part company with the player, the way it was handled has highlighted the huge void in leadership at the club.

To take so long and to change their minds about such a case beggars belief and is another blot on the copybook.

Of course, the owners were conspicuously silent on the matter.

New CEO Richard Arnold might not interfere in transfers like Ed Woodward did, but just how did an accountant end up running one of the world’s biggest football clubs and making decisions like this?

A penny for the thoughts of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill.

Anxious times then for Devils, but a resounding win on Saturday and a couple of decent signings would help.

And if the Glazers do leave, that would be better than any trophy.

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