British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his purchase of a minority stake at Premier League giants Manchester United after the deal was finalised on Tuesday (Feb 20). Ratcliffe, having agreed to buy a minor stake at the club from United’s owners,&nbsp;the Glazers family, will look after the football operations of the club as they try to reclaim lost glory. The deal was initially announced on 24 December 2023, however, subject to paperwork, it was finalised on Tuesday with the Red Devils now set for a new era as new investments are also to follow the club soon.

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Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his 27.7% acquisition of the club, following approval of all conditions, including the FA and the Premier League.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MUFC</a>
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<h2>Ratcliffe will get&nbsp;control of football operations</h2>

"This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football, with world-class facilities for our fans," Ratcliffe said in a club statement.

"Work to achieve those objectives will accelerate from today."

A boyhood United fan, the 71-year-old's investment, will give him control of football operations at the 20-time English champions. The deal was approved by the Premier League and English Football Association last week which will see a start of a new era at the club. It is reported that Ratcliffe’s minor stake purchase has cost him $1.3 billion, a little less than United’s current squad value of $1.7 billion. Ratcliffe’s will now have a total stake of 27.7 per cent and will inject $100 million more by the end of this year to enable investment in infrastructure at Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe for the majority of 2023 was in a race to buy the entire club stake after the club was put on sale by the American owners. Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar were in fierce competition to buy the club, however, the current owners retracted from the move and instead chose to sell a minor stake in the club.

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Joel Glazer, United's executive co-chairman, said: “I would like to welcome Sir Jim as co-owner and look forward to working closely with him and INEOS Sport to deliver a bright future for Manchester United.”

Ratcliffe in charge of the football side of things will now turn attention to the pursuit of Newcastle's Dan Ashworth to be United's sporting director while he is on a guarding leave at the Magpies. On the other hand, they are also in the race to sign Omar Berrada from local rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City to be the club's new CEO.

(With inputs from agencies)

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his purchase of a minority stake at Premier League giants Manchester United after the deal was finalised on Tuesday (Feb 20).

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his purchase of a minority stake at Premier League giants Manchester United after the deal was finalised on Tuesday (Feb 20). Ratcliffe, having agreed to buy a minor stake at the club from United’s owners, the Glazers family, will look after the football operations of the club as they try to reclaim lost glory. The deal was initially announced on 24 December 2023, however, subject to paperwork, it was finalised on Tuesday with the Red Devils now set for a new era as new investments are also to follow the club soon. Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his 27.7% acquisition of the club, following approval of all conditions, including the FA and the Premier League.#MUFC — Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 20, 2024 × Ratcliffe will get control of football operations "This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football, with world-class facilities for our fans," Ratcliffe said in a club statement. "Work to achieve those objectives will accelerate from today." A boyhood United fan, the 71-year-old's investment, will give him control of football operations at the 20-time English champions. The deal was approved by the Premier League and English Football Association last week which will see a start of a new era at the club. It is reported that Ratcliffe’s minor stake purchase has cost him $1.3 billion, a little less than United’s current squad value of $1.7 billion. Ratcliffe’s will now have a total stake of 27.7 per cent and will inject $100 million more by the end of this year to enable investment in infrastructure at Old Trafford. Ratcliffe for the majority of 2023 was in a race to buy the entire club stake after the club was put on sale by the American owners. Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar were in fierce competition to buy the club, however, the current owners retracted from the move and instead chose to sell a minor stake in the club. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG: Unfit KL Rahul out of fourth Test; Jasprit Bumrah rested, BCCI confirms Joel Glazer, United's executive co-chairman, said: “I would like to welcome Sir Jim as co-owner and look forward to working closely with him and INEOS Sport to deliver a bright future for Manchester United.” Ratcliffe in charge of the football side of things will now turn attention to the pursuit of Newcastle's Dan Ashworth to be United's sporting director while he is on a guarding leave at the Magpies. On the other hand, they are also in the race to sign Omar Berrada from local rivals and Premier League champions Manchester City to be the club's new CEO. (With inputs from agencies)

Manchester United: British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes purchase of minority stake

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is considering changing his bid and offering to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, according to reports on Monday.

Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals giant INEOS, emerged as one of two leading candidates to purchase the 20-time English champions, along with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

A lengthy takeover saga has followed, with numerous bids entered by both boyhood fan Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, but no progress has been made over any potential change of ownership from the Glazer family, who announced in November they were open to selling the club.

United's valuation on the New York Stock Exchange plummeted last month after reports the Glazers may not sell.

It is now being reported that Ratcliffe could target a minority stake in the Premier League giants.

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Sky News said Ratcliffe could seek a stake of about 25 per cent as part of a proposal to try to bring the drawn-out sale process to an end, having initially wanted to complete a majority takeover.

If the Glazers accepted this new reported offer, the American family would retain majority control of the club they bought in 2005.

The Glazers are deeply unpopular with United's supporters, who accuse the family of having saddled the club with debt and not investing enough.

Thousands of fans took part in an hour-long sit-in at Old Trafford after a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in August.

United have started the Premier League season poorly, losing four of their opening seven games to sit 10th in the table.

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British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is considering changing his bid and offering to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, according to reports on Monday. Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals giant INEOS, emerged as one of two leading candidates to purchase the 20-time English champions, along with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is considering changing his bid and offering to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, according to reports on Monday. Ratcliffe, founder of chemicals giant INEOS, emerged as one of two leading candidates to purchase the 20-time English champions, along with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani. A lengthy takeover saga has followed, with numerous bids entered by both boyhood fan Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, but no progress has been made over any potential change of ownership from the Glazer family, who announced in November they were open to selling the club. United's valuation on the New York Stock Exchange plummeted last month after reports the Glazers may not sell. It is now being reported that Ratcliffe could target a minority stake in the Premier League giants. ALSO READ | EXCLUSIVE | Want to set new benchmark for women athletes in India - Jyothi Yarraji after Asian Games success Sky News said Ratcliffe could seek a stake of about 25 per cent as part of a proposal to try to bring the drawn-out sale process to an end, having initially wanted to complete a majority takeover. If the Glazers accepted this new reported offer, the American family would retain majority control of the club they bought in 2005. The Glazers are deeply unpopular with United's supporters, who accuse the family of having saddled the club with debt and not investing enough. Thousands of fans took part in an hour-long sit-in at Old Trafford after a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in August. United have started the Premier League season poorly, losing four of their opening seven games to sit 10th in the table. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Football: British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe mulls Manchester United minority stake - reports

Thomas Zilliacus said in an interview published on Thursday that Manchester United supporters would be at the centre of his proposed takeover of the Premier League club, with a say on major issues such as ground redevelopment and squad building. The Finnish businessman recently joined the race to buy United from the Glazer family, who announced in November they were considering selling the 20-time English champions.

The 69-year-old Zilliacus, who founded investment company -Mobile FutureWorks, is the third potential buyer to go public with his interest in the club. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe have also thrown their hats into the ring. Both parties made second bids last week.

US hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which sold AC Milan for $1.3 billion last year, has reportedly made a bid for a minority stake in the club.

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No figures have been revealed by the Raine Group, which is handling the offers on behalf of the Glazers, but one or more of the initial bids is understood to be in the region of £4.5 billion ($5.5 billion).

The Glazers have reportedly put a price tag of £6 billion on the three-time Champions League winners.

Zilliacus, said to be a Manchester United supporter, favours a model in which his consortium would buy the club and then sell shares to supporters worldwide.

"It (United) was there long before all these people who are bidding for it were born and it will be here long after all these people who are bidding for it have passed away," he told the I newspaper. "The backbone of that institution is the fans and in that respect it's hugely important the fans are at the centre of the decisions."

United fans have spent years complaining about the Glazers, even breaking into Old Trafford to force the postponement of a match against Liverpool in 2021 in protest at the Americans' unpopular reign.

Zilliacus said if his bid is chosen, fans would be given a say on major issues such as potential redevelopment of Old Trafford and squad building, but not team selection. Although he is a latecomer in the takeover battle, Zilliacus is adamant his investment group should be considered a serious contender.

"I have been doing business all my life. I have started companies, bought companies, sold companies so I have a global network and I have done this on a global scale -- first with the largest phone company in the world, Nokia, then with my own group," he said. "I have a network that spans the globe of people who want to participate in interesting ventures, and this certainly is one.

"To put together financing for something like this -- and it is a big sum -- is something I'm used to."

Thomas Zilliacus said in an interview published on Thursday that Manchester United supporters would be at the centre of his proposed takeover of the Premier League club, with a say on major issues such as ground redevelopment and squad building.

Thomas Zilliacus said in an interview published on Thursday that Manchester United supporters would be at the centre of his proposed takeover of the Premier League club, with a say on major issues such as ground redevelopment and squad building. The Finnish businessman recently joined the race to buy United from the Glazer family, who announced in November they were considering selling the 20-time English champions. The 69-year-old Zilliacus, who founded investment company -Mobile FutureWorks, is the third potential buyer to go public with his interest in the club. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe have also thrown their hats into the ring. Both parties made second bids last week. US hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which sold AC Milan for $1.3 billion last year, has reportedly made a bid for a minority stake in the club. ALSO READ: Olympic hero, murder convict, free man: Oscar Pistorius - the Paralympian who loved fast cars, guns and women No figures have been revealed by the Raine Group, which is handling the offers on behalf of the Glazers, but one or more of the initial bids is understood to be in the region of £4.5 billion ($5.5 billion). The Glazers have reportedly put a price tag of £6 billion on the three-time Champions League winners. Zilliacus, said to be a Manchester United supporter, favours a model in which his consortium would buy the club and then sell shares to supporters worldwide. "It (United) was there long before all these people who are bidding for it were born and it will be here long after all these people who are bidding for it have passed away," he told the I newspaper. "The backbone of that institution is the fans and in that respect it's hugely important the fans are at the centre of the decisions." United fans have spent years complaining about the Glazers, even breaking into Old Trafford to force the postponement of a match against Liverpool in 2021 in protest at the Americans' unpopular reign. Zilliacus said if his bid is chosen, fans would be given a say on major issues such as potential redevelopment of Old Trafford and squad building, but not team selection. Although he is a latecomer in the takeover battle, Zilliacus is adamant his investment group should be considered a serious contender. "I have been doing business all my life. I have started companies, bought companies, sold companies so I have a global network and I have done this on a global scale -- first with the largest phone company in the world, Nokia, then with my own group," he said. "I have a network that spans the globe of people who want to participate in interesting ventures, and this certainly is one. "To put together financing for something like this -- and it is a big sum -- is something I'm used to."

‘Fans to have a major say’ - Businessman Thomas Zilliacus claims after entering race to buy Manchester United