Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially acquired a minority stake in Manchester United, as announced by the club on Tuesday. The British billionaire, aged 71, has purchased 25% of the Premier League club in a deal valued at £1.03 billion ($1.3bn). Additionally, he has committed to injecting a further £236 million ($297.88m) in future investments.
The agreement, disclosed on Christmas Eve, received approval from both the Premier League and the Football Association last week. With all final matters now resolved, Ratcliffe and his team, led by INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, are set to commence their duties at Old Trafford.
Despite the Glazer family retaining the majority ownership, Ratcliffe and Brailsford will assume control of football operations. Omar Berrada has been recruited from Manchester City to serve as the CEO starting this summer, while discussions are underway with Newcastle to potentially appoint Dan Ashworth as the new sporting director.
Sources indicate that United is also eyeing Southampton's Jason Wilcox, who previously worked with Berrada at City, to join a revamped recruitment department.
Ratcliffe's involvement marks a new chapter in United's ownership saga, which began in November 2022 when the Glazer family announced their exploration of 'strategic alternatives.' Ratcliffe, the CEO of chemical company INEOS, and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani both submitted bids for majority ownership, with the Glazers ultimately opting for Ratcliffe's minority offer.
