Manchester United Announces 25% Stake Sale to Sir Jim Ratcliffe
2 min read
Manchester United has announced that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS chairman, has acquired a 25% stake in the club. The deal is worth around £1.3 billion ($1.6bn) and includes Ratcliffe’s commitment to invest an additional $300 million into the club. Ratcliffe, a lifelong Manchester United fan and local boy, will also take responsibility for the football operations at Old Trafford.
The Glazer family, who have been the majority shareholders of Manchester United, will remain in control of the club. However, they have expressed their commitment to working with Ratcliffe and the INEOS Sport group to improve the club’s performance on and off the field.
Ratcliffe’s investment comes after a year of speculation about the future of Manchester United, with the Glazer family exploring strategic alternatives for the club, including accepting investment or sanctioning a full sale. Ratcliffe’s offer to buy a minority stake was ultimately accepted, with the Glazers opting to retain their majority stake in the club.
Manchester United fans have been critical of the Glazer family’s ownership of the club since their leveraged buyout in 2005. The announcement of Ratcliffe’s investment has been met with cautious optimism, with the Manchester United Supporters Trust stating that “today might – just might – be a step forward for Manchester United after some very difficult years.”
Ratcliffe, who already owns French club Nice and Swiss outfit FC Lausanne-Sport, has experience in the sports industry and has expressed his desire to bring his global knowledge, expertise, and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at Manchester United.
The deal also includes Ratcliffe accepting a request by the board to be delegated responsibility for the management of the club’s football operations, including all aspects of the men’s and women’s football operations and academies. Ratcliffe will also have two seats on the Manchester United PLC board and the Manchester United Football Club boards.
The joint ambition of Ratcliffe and the Glazer family is to create a world-class football operation, building on the club’s existing strengths and off-pitch performance. The investment is intended to help Manchester United return to the top of English, European, and world football.
In conclusion, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United, along with his commitment to invest an additional $300 million into the club, marks a significant development in the club’s history. The investment is expected to help Manchester United improve its performance on and off the field and return to the pinnacle of world football.
