London, England – After months of negotiations, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his company, INEOS, have successfully acquired a minority stake in Manchester United, a move that has been eagerly anticipated by fans and investors alike.
The deal, which was confirmed by United in December, saw Ratcliffe purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club, with the Glazer family opting to dilute their shares rather than sell them entirely. This transaction cost Ratcliffe’s INEOS a total of $1.3 billion, with an even split of Class B + Class A shares at $33 (£26) each.
The 71-year-old Ratcliffe expressed his hope in January that the deal would be finalized by mid-February, and following recent approvals from the Football Association and the Premier League, his minority stake has now been officially secured.
In a statement, Ratcliffe emphasized the honor and responsibility that comes with co-owning Manchester United, heralding the completion of the transaction as the start of a new journey to elevate the club to the top of English, European, and world football.
In a reciprocal gesture, Joel Glazer, the executive co-chairman of United, welcomed Sir Jim as co-owner and expressed his excitement about collaborating with him and INEOS Sport to bring a bright future to the club.
Ratcliffe’s commitment to invest $300 million from his personal wealth for future developments in the club was announced in November, serving as an additional financial injection to his existing stake. This investment is earmarked for infrastructure enhancements, particularly for refurbishments at United’s storied home ground, Old Trafford.
The recent appointments of Omar Berrada as the new chief executive and the pursuit of a sporting director signal a new era for the club, with INEOS already making its mark on Manchester United’s leadership structure. As the club continues to evolve under Ratcliffe’s ownership, the focus remains on building winning teams and providing world-class facilities for the fans.