10 November 2023 , 10:36
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to confirm his 25 per cent stake in Manchester United during the international break.
British billionaire Ratcliffe, chairman and CEO of chemical company INEOS, will spend around £1.3bilion on acquiring a minority shareholding in United.
Despite only buying a quarter of United, Ratcliffe has demanded influence over the football side of the club as part of his investment. That could spell trouble for United's current Football Director, John Murtough, with Sir Dave Brailsford, director of sport at INEOS, expected to be brought in by Ratcliffe.
Current United chief executive Richard Arnold could also be at risk, with Ratcliffe said to want to oversee a radical overhaul of the club, to take it back to the top of football in England and Europe.
It is coming up to a year since United's American owners, the Glazers, announced they were considering selling the club, with an asking price of around £6bn. Bids of around £5bn for a full takeover were submitted by Ratcliffe and Qatar-based businessman Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, but neither offer was accepted.
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Sheikh Jassim ultimately withdrew his offer completely, with the Glazers agreeing to the deal with Ratcliffe which ensures they reman the club's major shareholders.
Man Utd CEO Richard Arnold and director of football John Murtough could be moved on (PA)United fans are planning a demonstration ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Luton at Old Trafford, in protest at the Glazers decision to remain in charge. Supporters of United, who have wanted the Glazers out of the club since they took control back in 2005, demanded a full sale and are furious the US family will remain in overall control.
Steve Crompton, a spokesman for the 1958 - the supporter group behind the planned protests, said: "We believe the last 12 months has proved beyond any doubt that the Glazers only care about one thing – cold hard cash. They are not fit to be custodians of one of the world’s most iconic football institutions. But they cannot buy the love we hold for OUR club."