Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority stake in Man United is now imminent, with a deal possibly happening as early as next week.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that this summer was filled with Manchester United club takeover talks. After almost twenty years under the Glazer regime, Red Devils supporters have had enough and the pressure on the current ownership group has only grown.
Money is tight. The stadium is literally falling down. The distraction that the current situation has placed upon the footballing side of things is endless. Now feels like the time for a change of direction.
Well, we could be approaching the light at the end of the tunnel. The news comes from a highly reputable source in the form of the BBC’s Simon Stone. He believes that a Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchase of a minority stake in United could now be imminent.
The Mancunian’s INEOS group is set to purchase an initial 25% stake in the Old Trafford club, with the deal expected to be agreed during the upcoming international break, even as early as next week.
Ratcliffe is set to spend £1.25b for a quarter of the club, while he’ll also make around £250m available initially, for infrastructure works related to the stadium.
It’s unclear whether Ratcliffe will take control of footballing operations, though that’s exactly what the Failsworth-born businessman would want as soon as he walks through the entrance door.
It’s also expected Sir Dave Brailsford, who was at the heart of British cycling during many successful years, will be involved in some capacity.
The verdict
I know many people wanted Sheikh Jassim to own the club fully, though this is the situation we find ourselves in and this feels like a promising start.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have plans to eventually own a majority stake in the club and I fully believe this will be a step in the right direction.
We need new owners. There’s no getting away from that. Sir Jim loves the club just like me and you. He will do everything within his power to return United to their past glory.
Do you think Sir Jim Ratcliffe will help move this club forward? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
