(Video) Sir Jim Ratcliffe was asked about potential Man Utd takeover earlier this year

The Glazer family, majority shareholders of Manchester United since 2005, are under increasing pressure to sell the club amid the descent into mediocrity under their stewardship.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that the Glazer family were considering the sale of a minority stake, with discussions with private equity firm Apollo Global Management later emerging.

It wasn’t long before Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a boyhood Manchester United fan, entered the fold. The 69-year-old, via a spokesperson, admitted to being interested in acquiring the club.

The subject of buying the club he supported as a child has been on the agenda before. Earlier this year, Ratcliffe submitted a bid to buy Chelsea at the 11th hour. As part of his late offensive to buy the London club, he admitted to having a ‘split allegiance’ between Chelsea and United, as seen below.

Read more: Man Utd in talks over Aaron Wan-Bissaka exit in potential £40m loss

“You know, I have a split allegiance effectively really,” Ratcliffe told BBC journalist Dan Roan when asked about his ties to United. “When I was in London for many, many years – Chelsea, I could go and watch. It was quite difficult to go watch United.”

When further pressed on the possibility of buying United, Ratcliffe admitted that there was one clear reason as to why that wasn’t possible.

“Yes, I can understand that but Manchester United is not for sale,” he said.

More Stories #GlazersOut Glazers Manchester United Old Trafford Premier League Sir Jim Ratcliffe