Ratcliffe agrees deal to buy 25pc of Man Utd

Agency :
INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed a deal to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United for about £1.25bn ($1.6bn) and will take control of the Premier League club’s football operations, it was announced on Sunday.

The British billionaire, 71, will also provide $300m for future investment in the club’s Old Trafford stadium.

A club statement said: “United have entered into an agreement under which Ratcliffe will acquire 25% of Class B shares and up to 25% of Class A shares and provide an additional $300m intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.

“As part of the transaction, INEOS has accepted a request by the board to be delegated responsibility for the management of the club’s football operations.”

Ratcliffe said he wanted to see struggling United back on top of European football and committed himself for the long term.

“As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the United board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club,” he said.

“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.