Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially been confirmed as 27.7 per cent stakeholder in Manchester United.
The Manchester-born billionaire’s minority share passed the Premier League’s enhanced directors and owners tests last week, before getting FA approval.
The process dragged on into another week as final formalities were resolved, with the news brought forward to late on Tuesday night due to regulatory requirements in the United States, given this is primarily a financial communication to the New York Stock Exchange and the club are “subject to the rules and instructions of the regulators.”
“To become co-owner of Manchester United is a great honour and comes with great responsibility,” Ratclife said in a club statement. “This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football, with world-class facilities for our fans. Work to achieve those objectives will accelerate from today.”
It finally brings an end to a saga that started way back in November 2022, when the Glazer family owners welcomed investment into the club, even opening the prospect of a full takeover.
The latter never took place, with the Glazers retaining a majority, controlling stake in United, much to supporters’ frustration. Fans can, however, start to get excited about a new dawn at Old Trafford, with Ratcliffe and his Ineos team having already made sweeping changes.
As well as poaching CEO Omar Berrada from Manchester City, Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth will be joining, once the clubs have negotiated when he can start his Old Trafford role.
The plan is to have a fit for purpose off-field structure before addressing a playing squad overhaul.
Will Rashford be sold?
One player who may be used to generate funds is Marcus Rashford, amid reports that financial fair play (FFP) restrictions mean Ratcliffe won’t be able to spend big this summer owing to the £555m spent in previous summer transfer windows.
Rashford is on the shortlist to replace Kylian Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain, along with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and Barcelona wonderkid Gavi.
The French champions have long been admirers of the England forward, having been interested in bringing him to Paris last summer before Rashford penned a lucrative new deal, worth a reported £300,000-a-week, at United.
After Mbappé confirmed last week that he will be leaving PSG at the end of the season, seemingly set for Real Madrid, his employers have plenty of extra funds available with the France superstar’s astronomical wages off the books, a warchest i understands to be in the region of £200m.
Club sources have been keen to point out that Mbappé’s departure will mean a move away from the previous galactico era, where the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Sergio Ramos and Mbappé could effectively do what they liked, with young, hungry players to be targeted in the transfer market instead.
They have, however, expressed the need to replace Mbappé with some “world class” talent.
Selling Rashford to PSG is a move that would look favourable on the balance sheet for FFP purposes, given academy graduate sales are classed as 100 per cent profit.
The 26-year-old, however, is understood not to be currently seeking a move away from Old Trafford.
That would not necessarily deter PSG, insiders said, especially if they fail in their attempts to lure “top striker target” Osimhen to Ligue 1.
Competition for the Nigeria international will be fierce. A host of top clubs across Europe, including several Premier League sides, are reportedly interested.
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