Ratcliffe to begin Man United rebuild as investment completed

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially reached an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Manchester United, the club announced on Tuesday.

The 71-year-old British billionaire bought 25% of the Premier League club for £1.03 billion ($1.3 billion). He also promised future investment of £236 million ($297.88 million).

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The deal, announced on Christmas Eve, was given the green light by the Premier League and Football Association last week.

The remaining issues have now been resolved, meaning Ratcliffe and his team, led by INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, are free to officially begin work at Old Trafford.

Although the Glazer family remains the club's majority shareholder, the deal will see Ratcliffe and Brailsford take charge of football operations.

Omar Berrada has already been poached by rivals Manchester City to take on the role of CEO this summer, while the club have officially contacted Newcastle to hire Dan Ashworth as their new sporting director.

Sources have told ESPN that United are also keen to include Southampton's Jason Wilcox, who spent time with Berrada at City, in a revamped recruitment department.

Ratcliffe's deal paves the way for an ownership saga at United that began in November 2022 when the Glazer family announced it was considering “strategic alternatives.”

Ratcliffe, owner and CEO of chemical company INEOS, and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani both submitted bids to become majority owners of the club before the Glazers decided to accept the offer minority of Ratcliffe.