Man United’s owners in ‘discussions’ about shock takeover deal, Jim Ratcliffe ‘has no choice’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have little say if the Glazers want to bring an investor onboard at Man United.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes there have been “discussions” over new investment.
Ratcliffe may have to step back from Man United, with his company INEOS in £18billion worth of debt.
Man United are in huge financial debt themselves, with failure to qualify for European football on the pitch also harming their revenue streams.
Glazers ‘hold the key’ to Man United investment
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Ratcliffe’s financial problems with INEOS could impact Man United.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Man United could be forced to bring in fresh investment if they want to complete their stadium project.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’ve got no doubt there are discussions and it’s the Glazers that hold the key at the moment, and I’ve got no doubt discussions have happened about the Glazers either bringing in another partner or selling it in some position, and I think Ratcliffe would have little choice on that.
“See the big ramifications of the problems that INEOS have brought on themselves now is things like the debt pile that’s still there in his own company, which means that they will not be able to finance through INEOS or give the proper guarantees, possibly for things like the stadium. Now that’s a big long-term project that all the fans were told to buy into.
“If you like it was the showpiece of the whole INEOS tenure, that they wanted to show that we’re going to be moving forward and the great new Old Trafford project was going to be born and with the circus tent.
“And it was impressive, but I’m just wondering now how that could be financed in the same way without bringing in outside finance in a more expensive way and that’s going to put more pressure on them.”
Michael Carrick told what he must achieve in manager pursuit
Man United’s financial position means Michael Carrick has been told he needs to qualify for the Champions League this season if he wants the manager’s role on a permanent basis.
Champions League football would significantly boost revenue at Old Trafford, and could help attract players in the transfer market.
Man United’s 2-0 win over Man City means they are just a point behind Liverpool, who occupy the final Champions League spot.