We are edging closer to one of the most significant announcements in Manchester United’s modern history, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% takeover of the club looming large in the background as the Glazer family finally relinquishes control of the club’s football operations.
Ratcliffe has agreed to pay a premium for a quarter of the club but as part of the unorthodox takeover, it is believed that the petrochemicals billionaire will assume control of the football logistics.
That aspect has encouraged supporters that United could finally be about to turn a corner after 20 years of misguidance from the Glazers.
A large spending spree in January is, however, looking unlikely if the latest reports are to be believed. That’s according to Sky Sports, who say that Sir Dave Brailsford is currently carrying out an audit of the club’s operations.
Ratcliffe is expecting to play a significant role in United’s transfer activity but his bid to acquire a fourth of the club has not gone through yet.
It is expected that a deal will be announced this month but the New York Stock Exchange will be informed first and ratification by the Premier League will then follow and that could take up to eight weeks, it has been reported.
Patience with the club’s current ownership has boiled over and supporters will welcome a change. The most important thing is, however, that the club’s best interest is looked after and the 20-year-old model of draining the club is abandoned. Ratcliffe would be wrong to assume that supporters will immediately endear themselves.
