French and Swiss press react to Sir Jim Ratcliffe imminent Manchester United investment approval

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Manchester United are set to receive 25 per cent investment worth £1.3 billion, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to become a minority shareholder.

Sky Sports report Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s minority investment bid is set to be approved by the Manchester United board this week.

A separate report from The Times claims Ratcliffe will run football operations and plans to improve the ‘performance’ of the club on the pitch.

This deal is not the total takeover Manchester United fans wanted, and there are many questions to be answered about how it will shake out.

Multi-club ownership

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s firm Ineos already have stakes in two European clubs. French side Nice, who are second in Ligue 1, and Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport, who rank 10th out of 12 teams in their top flight.

There is trepidation for fans of these clubs about what Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s high profile investment in Manchester United might mean for them. The Manchester United investment has been reported in both France and Switzerland.

So Foot reflect: “Strasbourg, Lyon, and soon Nice, Ligue 1 will become a satellite club championship.”

This is in relation to Strasbourg being bought out by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, while Lyon’s owners also have a majority stake in Crystal Palace.

Score France described the development as ‘dreaded’ news, adding: “The owner of OGC Nice is on the verge of acquiring a prestigious club to the great concern of Aiglon supporters.

“It remains to be seen whether Jim Ratcliffe would not leave OGC Nice aside a little if by chance he were to acquire a share of the Red Devils. Response in the coming weeks…”

Swiss outlet 20 Min add: “This transaction could have consequences for Lausanne-Sport, also under the leadership of the British businessman. The Vaud club would find itself third in the Ineos hierarchy, behind Man U and OGC Nice. 

“The concerns are legitimate for LS fans, since the club already seems to be neglected in favor of the French club.”

Manchester United will be top priority

There is no doubt Manchester United will command the most of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s attention, but it will be a balancing act for Ineos to work out.

Nice are enjoying their best start to the season yet under his ownership, and if there is a sharp tail-off, then his investment in Manchester United may get the blame, fairly or not.