Manchester United revealed on Sunday its plan to sell a quarter of its shares to Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire founder of INEOS, a major chemical group with global reach. The move marks a significant shift in the club’s ownership structure as Ratcliffe steps into a pivotal role aimed at steering both sporting and financial strategy.
The Glazer family, which has owned the club since 2005, began exploring options for partial or full sale last year to attract fresh investment and secure the club’s long-term stability. The arrival of Ratcliffe signals a new chapter intended to preserve the club’s commercial strength while reviving its on-field performance, especially after a period of decline following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, during which the club has not regained the Premier League crown.
Under the terms of the deal, Ratcliffe will oversee Manchester United’s sporting operations. A fund of around 300 million pounds (about 330 million euros) will be available for both player transfers and the reconstruction of Old Trafford, helping to modernize facilities and infrastructure as part of a broader strategic plan.
In the announcement, INEOS accepted responsibility for the club’s football operations within the transaction, covering the men’s, women’s, and youth teams. This centralized management approach is intended to unify decision-making across all levels of the football setup, aligning resources with performance goals. The club stated that INEOS will handle all facets of the football operations during this period of transition.
Ratcliffe’s bid, described as highly compelling by the Glazer family, included the offer to acquire full control of Manchester United. Early discussions valued the club at well over six billion pounds, with Ratcliffe’s proposal ranking among the strongest heard in recent years. While the Glazers initially contemplated a complete sale, it was clear that offers to take full ownership needed to reflect the club’s strong brand and global fanbase, as well as its commercial potential.
The proposed acquisition now enters a formal approval phase, with a review by the Premier League that could take six to eight weeks. This process will assess fit with league rules and financial controls to ensure the transaction aligns with the standards required for a club of United’s stature.
In expressing satisfaction with the agreement, the Glazer family emphasized that the decision forms part of a strategic review announced in late 2022. Manchester United leaders highlighted the aim of exploring diverse options to enhance the club’s performance across the men’s, women’s, and youth programs, recognizing that sustained success requires both competitive results on the field and strong commercial foundations. Ratcliffe and INEOS bring a track record in large-scale commercial ventures and a readiness to commit financial resources, which United believes will support long-term growth. Avram and Joel Glazer conveyed their optimism about the arrangement, noting the opportunity to entrust United’s operations to a leadership team with deep ties to the city and the club’s supporters.
For Ratcliffe, a Manchester native and lifelong supporter, today’s agreement represents more than a financial arrangement. It signifies responsibility for the club’s broader governance and a clear, shared mission to return Manchester United to the pinnacle of English, European, and world football. He underscored a determined stance on professionalism, rigorous planning, and the stamina needed to overcome challenges ahead. The stated goal is straightforward: Restore United to the top echelon of the sport, reflecting the club’s history and the expectations of its global fanbase. In his remarks, Ratcliffe pledged to maintain the club’s heritage while pursuing disciplined growth and sustained success across all competitive fronts [Source: internal club communications].