Ratcliffe keen to be behind Man United wheel

Article posted by Coliseum, December 1^st, 2023

Image: Coliseum GSVA

It’s been a whole year since the Premier League team Manchester United F.C. (UK) were put up for sale by the Glazer family (owners of Man United) – but the saga looks close to completion.

‘sky sports’ stated that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to purchase 25 percent of the Premier League club for £1.3bn is close to completion, heralding a new era at the top-flight’s residence – the Old Trafford in Stretford, England (UK) – albeit with the Glazer family still in majority control. However, Ratcliffe is keen to take the reins of Man United in his own hands.

The Manchester United Football Club, commonly referred to as Man United, or simply United, is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England (UK). The club competes in the Premier League, the top division of the English football league system.

The Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England (UK), and the home of Manchester United F.C. With a capacity of 74,310 it is the largest club football stadium in the United Kingdom and the 12^th-largest in Europe.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a British billionaire, chemical engineer and businessman. He is the Founder, Chairman and majority Owner of the Ineos Group, a London (UK)-based chemical manufacturer.

Ratcliffe’s involvement will see him and his INEOS group – including Sir Dave Brailsford (British cycling coach and INEOS’ Director of Sport) – take control of United’s football operations, which will include recruitment of players and the coaching staff.

‘sky sports’ further stated that Ratcliffe believes having a clear idea, the right people with the right tools to consistently deliver it, a thirst for marginal gains and progressive thinking plus streamlined decision-making will ultimately result in winning.

When Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford – INEOS’ Director of Sport and the man responsible for British cycling’s success at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics – sat through presentations of United’s working practices and long-term plans during the bidding process, they knew football operations would need to be overhauled.

The pair did not feel the club were effectively making use of analytics, had the scale of expertise needed in some departments and were “nimble enough” to take action when needed.

It will be interesting to see how it materializes, especially as some elements – like training facilities and upgrading Old Trafford – fall into both categories. Joel Glazer will remain the majority shareholder, and as such, the ultimate decision-maker.

Sources insist INEOS and Ratcliffe would not be willing to invest an estimated £1.3bn for their 25 percent stake without guarantees of being able to implement their own organizational vision.

If United are successful on the pitch, that will financially benefit the Glazers so there is confidence of striking the right balance. Only time and watching how the structure is actually implemented will answer the question. The end goal for INEOS is full control of the club.

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