Manchester United fans are hoping Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s dream of owning the club can become a reality, as pressure mounts on the Glazers.
Ratcliffe released a statement via a company spokesperson for Ineos, stating: “We would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.”
The Glazers may have other ideas. The Mail report they are holding talks with US investment firm Apollo, who only wish to buy a minority stake.
Ratcliffe’s plans are far more attractive as they have the club’s success at heart, and the city of Manchester itself. The spokesperson added: “Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Manchester United masterplan
Ratcliffe’s vision has the club at heart. You won’t get that from a group of investment bankers who are in position to turn a profit, and prop up the teetering Glazer regime.
Sky Sports report Ratcliffe has already spoken with former players and wants them involved with the bid.
We can only speculate this might include Gary Neville, who retweeted The Times’ story about his planned investment in the club.
Having the support of United legends would give Ratcliffe credibility and goodwill which the Glazers never earned, having bought the club on the back of leveraged debt, angering the fanbase.
Ratcliffe has the funds to wipe out the debt. He will also have a plan, having gained experience owning a football club in France, with Ligue 1 side Nice.
Sky report Ratcliffe will involve British cycling guru Sir Dave Brailsford, who masterminded the nation’s Olympic success in the sport.
Brailsford has built a reputation for instilling a winning culture in the sporting fields he works in, having worked with Mercedes Formula 1 team, the New Zealand All Blacks, and with marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge. Newcastle United even brought him on board for a motivational talk earlier this year.
Ratcliffe has a framework of a plan which is evident from the figures he plans to involve. Brailsford will be key to pushing sporting excellence on the pitch, while former players help bridge relations with fans, while Ratcliffe also has personal connections to the city itself.
The Glazers have never cared about any of this, and that’s part of the reason why it is so important they leave.
The prospect of a faceless investment group getting involved, concentrated on financial profit rather than sporting success, is not a pleasant option to consider, especially with the Glazers still involved.
A full takeover is the only acceptable endgame for United supporters, with the Glazer family gone for good, for an owner who cares, to pick up their wreckage. This is the answer Manchester United’s loyal fans deserve.
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