Changes are coming. In the last few hours it has been revealed that British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is “certainly a potential buyer” of Manchester United if the English club is put up for sale. A spokesperson for Ineos, the energy group owner, made this known on Wednesday.
Ineos responds in this way to the information, according to which the current owners of the club, the American Glazer family, are considering selling a minority stake in the institution, which currently occupies the last place in the Premier League this season after two matchdays.
The official spokesperson told 'The Times' that Ratcliffe, considered the richest man in the UK, is willing to buy a minority stake "if that is possible", in order to prepare "long-term" for full control of the English entity.
It is worth remembering that the Glazer family took control of Manchester United in 2005, but since then they have frequently been criticized, being accused by fans of taking advantage of the institution instead of investing money in players or renovating the legendary Old Trafford stadium.
For example, the Glazers supported the failed attempt to create a closed European Super League, another fact strongly criticized by fans, especially since they have not won the Premier League title since 2013 and have not lifted a major trophy since 2017.
Jim Ratcliffe, a sports all-rounder
Ratcliffe, a declared follower of the 'Red Devils', failed to buy Chelsea in May, losing to the project led by American businessman Todd Boehly. However, Ineos already owns two European clubs, OGC Nice from the French Ligue 1 and Lausanne in Switzerland, as well as the cycling team in which Colombian Egan Bernal and Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz ride, and is also one of the sponsors of the Formula 1 team, Mercedes.
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