Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have ’embarrassed themselves again’ in Tottenham financial dispute
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have been heavily criticised during their time with Manchester United and their latest error has helped out Premier League rivals Tottenham.
Ratcliffe took control of Man United back in December 2023, but his reign has been fraught with controversy.
Back in June, Tottenham took legal action against INEOS, who are spearheaded by Ratcliffe, after the petrochemicals company exited a sponsorship deal with the club three years into a five-year agreement.
The case has now come to a close after an out-of-court settlement was reached between both parties.
Tottenham receive £5m payout from INEOS
INEOS have reportedly agreed to pay Tottenham around £5million as they hope to draw a line under the whole situation.
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 – is amazed that the British company have got itself involved in this saga, pulling out of another deal.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the whole case has been embarrassing for INEOS and Ratcliffe.
Wyness added that it is at least another loose end tied up for the Man United co-owner.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “My information is that they’ve settled at around the £5m mark. I think Tottenham went in looking for £11m, and I think it settled around £5m. So it didn’t go to court. Both groups can move on.
“I think it’s embarrassing for INEOS again to have got themselves in this position. I mean, I’m really amazed that they got themselves involved in this and are pulling out of another sports deal.
“But it’s another loose end tied up for them. They haven’t covered themselves in glory, as we know, in a number of different transactions. But maybe Ratcliffe has now realised he has to put all his attention on Man United and try and get things fixed. There are glimmers of hope for him.”
Man United could complete Joshua Zirkzee U-turn
Meanwhile, Man United could put their faith in Joshua Zirkzee to cover for Benjamin Sesko while he is out of the team.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the striker could now be set for an increased role in the side.
Zirkzee is frustrated at Man United and is expected to push to leave the club in the mid-season window amid growing interest from a number of top sides.
However, after Sesko was forced off with a knee injury against Tottenham, the Dutchman may get a run of games for the Red Devils.
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