In a significant development for Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s potential acquisition of a minority stake in the club is expected to conclude before the festive season. The Ineos Group, under Ratcliffe’s leadership, is poised to invest approximately £1.25 billion for a 25% share in the renowned football club.
This development comes after a lengthy period of uncertainty regarding the club’s ownership. The Glazer family, who currently own Manchester United, had publicly considered selling the club over a year ago. Yet, the anticipated agreement with Ratcliffe’s Ineos for minority ownership hasn’t been finalized, despite multiple speculations.
Insiders reveal that intensive negotiations have gained momentum recently, with advisors from all parties prepared to extend discussions into the weekend, if necessary, to seal the deal before the Christmas holidays.
Should the agreement be reached, it will undergo a review period of six to eight weeks by the Premier League before final approval.
The ongoing ownership ambiguity is perceived as detrimental by many at Old Trafford, with concerns about the future direction of the club and Ratcliffe’s specific plans for the team’s management and staffing, including his reliance on Ineos’ Director of Sport, Sir Dave Brailsford.
Originally, both Ineos and Qatari financier Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani proposed bids near £5 billion for the 20-time English champions. However, neither party agreed to meet the Glazers’ valuation. Sheikh Jassim withdrew his bid in October, which was reportedly twice the club’s $3.2 billion stock market value, due to the Glazers’ high demands.
Ratcliffe adjusted his initial intention of acquiring a 69% stake from the Glazers to a ‘majority’ stake, eventually reducing it further to the current 25% to enhance the likelihood of an agreement.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Manchester United Ownership
Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe and what is his connection to Manchester United?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of Ineos Group, is in the process of acquiring a 25% stake in Manchester United. He is poised to invest around £1.25 billion, aiming to finalize the deal before Christmas.
What changes are expected at Manchester United with this new investment?
The investment by Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expected to bring significant funds for upgrading Manchester United’s training ground and Old Trafford stadium, although the specific plans for the football side of the club remain unclear.
Why is the deal significant for Manchester United?
This deal is significant as it could resolve the long-standing uncertainty regarding the ownership of Manchester United, with the Glazer family considering selling the club for over a year.
What were the initial bids for Manchester United and who were the bidders?
Initially, Ineos and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani both tabled bids around £5 billion for the club. However, negotiations evolved, with Ratcliffe reducing his bid to a 25% stake.
What has been the response to the ongoing ownership negotiations at Manchester United?
The drawn-out negotiations have reportedly caused a sense of uncertainty and negativity at Old Trafford, with many awaiting clarity on the future direction and management of the club under potential new ownership.
More about Manchester United Ownership
- Manchester United Official Website
- Ineos Group
- Premier League Official Site
- Financial Times: Football Business
- BBC Sport: Manchester United News
- The Guardian: UK Football Coverage
- ESPN: Soccer News and Analysis
- Sky Sports: Manchester United Updates
7 comments
this is huge news for us, can’t wait to see what changes come, old trafford really needs an upgrade!!
anything is better than the Glazers at this point, but still skeptical about Ratcliffe, lets see what happens next…
So Ratcliffe is finally getting his hands on United? took long enough, hope he does better than Glazers…
finally some good news for our club, been waiting for a positive change for ages. Let’s hope it turns out well
Ratcliffe’s investment could be a game changer, but the real question is what are his plans for the team’s future? Need more info on that
interesting move by Ratcliffe reducing his bid, wonder how this will play out in the long run for United
£1.25bn for a 25% stake? seems like a fair deal considering the club’s history and potential growth