In a significant development for Manchester United, Ineos Group chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed to purchase a 25% stake in the football club.
The deal involves an injection of approximately £236 million (€272 million) into Manchester United, with Ineos taking delegated responsibility for the club’s football operations.
The agreement outlines that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will acquire 25% of the Class B shares held by the Glazer family and up to 25% of the Class A shares.
Additionally, Ineos will invest $300 million (£236.7 million) in the club’s infrastructure, specifically targeting future improvements to Old Trafford.
A statement from Manchester United read, “Manchester United announces that it has entered into an agreement under which chairman of Ineos, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will acquire 25% of Manchester United’s Class B shares and up to 25% of Manchester United’s Class A shares and provide an additional $300 million intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.”
As part of the transaction, Ineos will assume delegated responsibility for managing the club’s football operations, covering men’s and women’s football operations and academies.
Ineos will also secure two seats on both the Manchester United PLC board and the Manchester United Football Club boards.
The joint vision of the collaboration is to elevate Manchester United into a world-class football operation, building on the club’s existing strengths and off-pitch successes.
The completion of the transaction is contingent on customary regulatory approvals.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “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 Manchester United board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club.”
Ratcliffe highlighted Ineos’s commitment to the club’s long-term success, bringing global knowledge and expertise to unlock Manchester United’s full potential.
He stated, “Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”
