‘Jim Ratcliffe to go all in on Man United after takeover update’
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be set to make a significant commitment to the club after a takeover update has emerged.
The INEOS chief purchased a 27.7 per cent stake in the Premier League side in February last year after agreeing a £1.25billion deal with the Glazers.
Ratcliffe has now increased his stake in Man United to 28.9 per cent after injecting £238million into the club.
The Glazers, who bought a 98 per cent stake in 2005, have since seen their shareholding diluted to 48.9 per cent.
Ratcliffe has been a largely unpopular figure among the United fans after making several controversial decisions since taking control of the club’s footballing operations.
The 72-year-old claimed in March the Manchester giants would have gone “bust by Christmas” if it wasn’t for his cost-cutting measures, which have seen hundreds of staff made redundant at Old Trafford.
However, finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider United chiefs have been gaslighting their fans after insisting the club have never been in a financial crisis.
United posted a club-record revenue of £661.8million and a net loss of £113.2million in 2023-24, with top-flight sides permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Jim Ratcliffe makes Man United commitment after sale update
Alongside his shares in United, Ratcliffe also owns a 100 per cent stake in Nice, who sit fourth in the Ligue 1 table.
The British billionaire bought the French side for around £85million back in 2019.
He was forced to put his Nice shares into a “blind trust” last year after they qualified for the Europa League alongside United, with Uefa’s rules prohibiting clubs from being controlled by the same owners from competing in the same competition.
The Athletic reported on 2 May Ratcliffe is now exploring the sale of Nice, with New York investment bank Lazard brought in to find a buyer.
INEOS has set a £212million asking price after investing around £183million into the club over the past six years.
Speaking to the media last month, Ratcliffe revealed he isn’t a fan of French football due to the perceived lack of quality in Ligue 1.
The planned sale suggests he is now set to go all in on United and means his sole focus can be on matters at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe is hoping to turn the club’s fortunes around on the pitch, having failed to claim the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in 2012-13.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | PSG | 32 | 78 | +52 |
| 2 | Marseille | 32 | 59 | +23 |
| 3 | Monaco | 32 | 58 | +24 |
| 4 | Nice | 32 | 57 | +21 |
| 5 | Lille | 32 | 57 | +17 |
Man United could land £100m windfall after stunning twist
United have endured another challenging season domestically as they currently sit 15th in the Premier League table.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side will earn a place in next season’s Champions League if they win the Europa League.
They beat Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the competition to set up a showdown with Tottenham in the final later this month.
United could earn around £100million from the Champions League once prize money and gate receipts are factored in.
That will significantly strengthen Amorim’s transfer budget and potentially help attract a higher calibre of player to Old Trafford this summer.
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