Manchester United’s Supporters Trust have called for more clarity regarding the merits of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent purchase of 25 percent of the Premier League giants
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Erik ten Hag is under pressure at Old Trafford
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust is yet to get too excited over the news of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s imminent purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the club.
Ratcliffe, 70, is set to complete a £1.4billion deal which will see him own a quarter of the club next week once United chiefs ratify the proposal at a board meeting. His company, INEOS, are then expected to be in control of football operations at Old Trafford, though the Glazer family will retain majority ownership.
Ratcliffe’s offer, which is the first step in what Britain’s second-richest man hopes to be a staged takeover, was submitted after long-time rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani formally pulled out of the race. The Qatari banker’s final offer is rumoured to have been worth more than $6bn (£4.9bn) but the Glazers swiftly rejected it as they want to maintain majority ownership status.
However, the response from the club’s supporters trust hasn’t exactly been one of overwhelming joy and has been interpreted by many as a dig at the current owners. In a statement, the trust claims: “It would be wildly optimistic to think the Glazers are acting in the interests of supporters or are making ownership decisions which don’t centre on their own priorities.
“We call upon all parties to put Man United interests before their own interests. If the reports are true regarding INEOS obtaining a 25% stake in our club there are a number of questions which need clarity before supporters can make any judgement on its merits.”
The trust has made clear what they feel the most pressing questions that need to be answered are, with a list that includes queries, such as which members of the Glazer family will remain shareholders after this transaction goes through, and whether the Glazers will still have full control of the club.
Ratcliffe is now the only bidder at the negotiating table, 11 months after United were first put on the market in November 2022. He is keen to weave his influence with regard to on-pitch matters.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to purchase 25 per cent of Manchester United (
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STEVE ALLEN)
**Mirror Football ** understands that Ratcliffe will soon oversee player incomings and departures, as well as that of the management, coaching and football staff. He has sufficient experience in making these kinds of calls, given he has been the owner of French side Nice and Swiss Super League team FC Lausanne-Sport through INEOS since 2019 and 2017 respectively.
Despite a relatively underwhelming start to the season, the job of manager Erik ten Hag is believed to be safe. United currently sit 10th in the table, having lost four of their opening eight league games this term.
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The Red Devils have hardly fared better in other competitions, with Ten Hag overseeing two defeats from two Champions League group games against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray. However, there may soon be better days ahead with this latest takeover update. Manchester United refused to comment on claims that Sheikh Jassim has pulled out of the takeover race.
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