Premier League set to delay Ratcliffe Man Utd deal – sources

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) investment in Manchester United is not expected to be finalized until the January transfer window, sources have told ESPN, even though the deal The purchase of 25% of the club is confirmed on the financial markets in the coming months. days.

Ratcliffe and his INEOS group have been engaged in extensive discussions with United's owners, the Glazer family, since October over the deal that will give the petrochemical billionaire full control of the club's football operations.

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Sources told ESPN that negotiations are in their final stages, with recent delays due to legal details reviewed by both sides before contracts are signed.

An announcement to the New York Stock Exchange could be made before the end of the year, although the holiday season could further delay that part of the process.

But even though Ratcliffe's team are already working on plans to overhaul United's football structure, sources have indicated it will take between 4 and 6 weeks for the Premier League to ratify the change in the club's ownership model .

Due to the Christmas and New Year period, the ratification process may not begin until the first week of January, leaving United facing the prospect of a final transfer window under Glazer's ownership next month.

Colette Roche, United's chief operating officer, told a fans forum this week that financial restrictions would prevent the club from making significant additions to Erik ten Hag's squad next month.

Loan moves are possible, but with United needing to raise funds, no major move is likely, even if a deal is reached to offload Jadon Sancho, who has not been involved in the first team since a row with Ten Hag in September.