Manchester United Agrees to Sell 25% Stake to Sir Jim Ratcliffe for £1.25 Billion

Manchester United has reached an agreement with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire, to sell a 25% stake in the club for approximately £1.25 billion. As part of the deal, Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group will take control of Manchester United’s football operations. Additionally, Ratcliffe has pledged to invest $300 million (£236 million) into the club’s Old Trafford stadium.

The announcement comes after the Glazer family, Manchester United’s current owners, declared their intention to explore strategic alternatives for selling the club in 2021. The Glazer family purchased the club for £790 million in 2005. The only other publicly declared bidder, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, withdrew his offer to buy 100% of the club in October.

Manchester United has struggled on the pitch this season, having not won the Premier League since 2013. The club has faced regular protests against the Glazer ownership. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the chairman of petrochemicals company Ineos, is a “lifelong supporter of the club” and previously attempted to buy Chelsea last year.

Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United aims to unlock the club’s potential and improve its performance. He plans to bring the global knowledge, expertise, and talent from the Ineos Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club. Ratcliffe emphasizes that the club has the necessary funds to win trophies but has not fully utilized its potential in recent times.

The deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals, and the club hopes it will be completed as soon as possible. Upon completion, Ratcliffe will hold a 25% stake in Manchester United, while the Glazer family will retain a majority stake in the club. Ineos will oversee the men’s and women’s football operations and academies, as well as receive two seats on the Manchester United PLC and Manchester United Football Club boards.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United marks a significant development in the club’s ownership structure. The deal aims to bring new resources and expertise to the club, potentially leading to improved performance on the pitch and increased fan engagement.