Sir Jim Ratcliffe is hopeful of completing a deal to buy a minority stake in Manchester United over the next fortnight.
The British billionaire is set to spend about £1.25bn to acquire 25% of the club and gain control of football operations. It is likely the agreement will be finalised before United play Everton at Goodison Park on 26 November. Although informed sources said next week appeared too soon for a deal, the following week is regarded as realistic.
Ratcliffe, who previously attempted to buy Chelsea, wanted to purchase a majority holding in United from the Glazers but has had to settle for a quarter of the club. After lengthy negotiations those at the heart of talks are optimistic they are nearing completion.
It is expected Ratcliffe will bring in Ineos’s director of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, to advise on potential structural changes in United’s hierarchy. Ratcliffe’s arrival will raise questions over the future of the manager, Erik ten Hag, and the football director, John Murtough.
Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani withdrew from the takeover process after making little progress with his £5bn offer for United, paving the way for Ratcliffe’s plan to purchase a minority stake. Ratcliffe owns two football clubs, Nice and Lausanne, plus the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team and a sailing team.
United are eighth in the Premier League and face an uphill challenge to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages after their midweek loss to Copenhagen left them bottom of Group A. They host Luton on Saturday.
