THE takeover of Doncaster by One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and former chairman John Ryan is in “serious doubt”, the Tomlinson Ryan Trust has announced.

The takeover was scheduled to be formally completed today, following the exchange of contracts and a press conference held in London last month.

The Trust set up a funding scheme with the aim of raising £2m, but the deadline for pledges passed yesterday with the total more than £1m short of the target, which means Ryan will now not pass the Football League’s ‘fit and proper person’s test’.

“The Tomlinson Ryan Trust Crowdfunder project has failed to reach the target as set out under the terms of the funding arrangements,” said the Trust via a statement.

“The result of which will be that pledges will be cancelled and funds returned to the relevant parties.

“As a result of the funding not being available from Crowdfunder for the DRFC project, John Ryan is unable to meet the requirements of the Football League fit and proper test.

“The consequence of this is that the deal to take over the club is now in serious doubt.”

The Trust had previously stated the takeover of the club would go ahead irrespective of the success or failure of its crowdfunding project.

n Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss up to the first three months of manager Louis van Gaal’s reign with an ankle injury.

Van Gaal mentioned at his unveiling press conference that Carrick had suffered an injury.

And the club later confirmed on Twitter: “Michael Carrick has had surgery this morning on his left ankle ligaments and will be out for 10-12 weeks.”