Former Manchester United director Michael Knighton is seemigly planning a takeover bid for the club.

Knighton previously failed to take over the club for £20m before taking up a position on the board from 1989 to 1992.

However, the former director is planning a return to the Red Devils after announcing his desire to launch a takeover bid.

Speaking to Man United The Religion, Knighton said: "Everyone knows that we need new ownership of this football club. That is my aim, those are my objectives.

"I'm making good progress, I continue to talk to the people, I've got some good pledges with good finance. We are now working on the offer document - remember, it's a hostile bid."

Explaining what he defined as "hostile", the 70-year-old stated: "That simply means the club isn't officially for sale, but my intention is to present these owners with a legitimate and potent and proper commercial offer to say 'you've run out of road, it's time to go, because your time is up'.

"And frankly the fans worldwide have had enough of this regime. We are a club in crisis, and we all know the reason why. We have an inept and frankly useless ownership who knows little about this game of football."

© Reuters

Knighton commented on Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion: "The exciting feeling of a new season which we all have, and that balloon of excitement is there but it was quickly burst when we saw the performance against Brighton.

"Quite honestly, the Lionesses, we could have played them and I think they'd have got a better result. The club is in crisis and it will remain in crisis whilst we've got this current ownership - that's the situation."

The opening day defeat was preceded by a protest outside of Old Trafford, with fans demonstrating against the Glazer ownership and Knighton believes such protests were "inevitable".

"It's inevitable that fans are going to protest because of the frustration, because of the disappointment," Knighton said. "What else can they do which shows their disappointment with these protests?

© Reuters

"The protests are brilliantly organised, they are peaceful – that's very important – no one would support violence.

"These are peaceful protests by the fans simply saying 'look, we want change – preferably we want regime change'. So, yes, the protests will continue, that is inevitable until they bring about what everyone wants, which is change."

The former board member concluded: "My consortium is ready and waiting, the funds are pledged, the offer document is being drawn up, and it will be presented.

"We're still waiting for the great Sir Jim Ratcliffe to come forward because he solves all our problems, makes my job redundant, but until Jim comes, my consortium will be placing their bid very shortly – that, I guarantee."

Knighton previously bought Carlisle United after leaving the Red Devils 30 years ago, but he eventually sold the club in 2002 after fans grew unhappy with his ownership.