Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group wants to assume control of the football operations side of Manchester United’s business from the Glazer family if a 25% offer worth an estimated £1.3bn is approved.
The British billionaire is thought to be increasingly confident of securing what he hopes will be the first stage of an eventual buyout.
The BBC was told that his principal rival – Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani – had withdrawn from the process to buy United.
He failed to meet the Glazers’ valuation with his 100% offer and grew frustrated with their demands.
Both groups had tabled bids of about £5bn.
It is not clear how an Ineos minority stake would be structured and if the Glazers would accept it.
BBC Sport has learned that a United board meeting is set to take place on Thursday, during which it is possible the agreement could be finalised.
Ineos is thought to hope that if it were to be in charge of the football side of the club’s business with a quarter share, it may reassure supporters unhappy that the Glazers will remain at United.
Former United captain Gary Neville asked on social media: “Can this really work and what impact will it have on a struggling organisation?”
After listing six things he believed were “non-negotiable” for a takeover, Neville said: “How does a minority stakeholder positively impact the club to achieve the above? Can a minority shareholder have any impact on the above?
“My preference is and always will be for a Glazer family full exit. They have overstayed their welcome in Manchester yet seem oblivious to this fact.”
Manchester United Supporters Trust released a statement saying: “What supporters should expect at the very least now is some clarity and an end to this process. Furthermore, the outcome must include new investment into the club. It cannot be solely about the interests of shareholders, whether existing or new.
“We call upon all parties to put Manchester United interests before their own interests.
“If the reports are true regarding Ineos obtaining a 25% stake in our club, there are a number of questions around the transaction which need clarity before supporters can make any judgement on its merits.”
The Glazer family, who bought United for £790m in 2005, announced in November 2022 they were considering selling.
United supporters have held demonstrations against the Glazer family inside and outside Old Trafford.
The club have lost six of their 11 games this season in all competitions and sit 10th in the Premier League.
Ratcliffe visited Old Trafford in March alongside Ineos officials Sir Dave Brailsford, Rob Nevin and Jean Claude Blanc.
Ineos already owns French Ligue 1 club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne.
Its sporting portfolio also includes high-profile sailing team Ineos Britannia – led by Sir Ben Ainslie – which is aiming to win the 2024 America’s Cup for Great Britain.
Ineos also has a five-year partnership with Formula 1 team Mercedes – where it has a 33% minority stake – and took over the British-based Team Sky in cycling in 2019.
Ratcliffe, who says he is a lifelong United fan, tried and failed to buy Chelsea last year.
Analysis
Assuming the United board approves this deal, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group now appear to be closing in on a significant stake in United. This is not the first time they will have invested in a sports property as minority shareholders. Ineos have a 33% share of the F1 Mercedes team, for instance, as part of a five-year deal.
The difference with United is that Ineos apparently intend to gradually secure a full takeover in the future, and they are expected to run the sporting side of the operation, with the commercial side still controlled by the Glazers.
It remains to be seen what that would mean in terms of changes to the executives running the club, and whether those changes are enough to satisfy those fans who desperately wanted to see an immediate end to the Glazers after 18 years of what they see as unacceptable debt and footballing decline.
After a hugely divisive saga that has dragged on for almost a year, Ratcliffe will hope his boyhood support of United will convince fans his involvement is preferable to the rival Qatari bid that has now collapsed.
For now though, supporters will be keen to know how Ineos’ experience running the two football clubs they currently own – Nice and Lausanne – has prepared them for the far greater challenge of restoring United to former glories. And whether this deal would result in the major investment in Old Trafford that so many believe is desperately needed.
Others will want assurances that it will not involve adding to the almost £1bn the club currently owes.
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