INEOS chief provides update on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover bid for Manchester United
INEOS boss Sir Dave Brailsford has said Ratcliffe is still “very keen” to buy Man United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is targeting a majority stake in Manchester United (Image: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
INEOS sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford has said Sir Jim Ratcliffe is still “very keen” to complete the Manchester United takeover, with the process set to enter its eighth month.
British billionaire and Qatari sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is leading the race to buy the club, despite fears the Glazers may decide not to sell it. Ratcliffe wants to take a majority stake in United while Sheikh Jassim is aiming for a 100% takeover.
Brailsford – who also works at OGC Nice, which was bought by INEOS in 2019 – is the manager of Team Sky, which currently competes in the Tour de France. There he was asked to give an update on INEOS’ bid for United. He stressed that the company and Ratcliffe remain hopeful that an acquisition agreement will materialize. Speaking to ITV Sport, he said: “Obviously we were involved and it’s something we care about.”
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“We can’t discuss this in detail, we have to sign NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] and everything else. But it’s an ongoing process and we’d like to do that.
“Being guardians of one of the greatest sports teams and brands in the world and trying to really support the team and get back the success it deserves.” And the fan base too.
“I worked in Manchester for a long time, we saw the team become a global phenomenon, Team Sky did the same. I know Manchester very well, so you get an idea of what the club is about and what the fans want. If we are part of the process, we hope to be part of it.”
No time frame has been set on when a acquisition decision will be made by the Glazers, and it seems almost certain that process will go into the new season.
Erik ten Hag has received around £120m in transfers this summer, while a number of players have signed new deals, including Marcus Rashford.