Ineos billionaire Ratcliffe 'potential buyer' of Man Utd
British businessman Jim Ratcliffe is "definitely a potential buyer" of Manchester United if the English football giants go on sale, a spokesman for the Ineos petrochemicals billionaire said Wednesday.
Ineos was responding to reports United's current owners, the US-based Glazer family, are considering selling a minority stake, with the team currently bottom of the Premier League following a woeful start to the season under new manager Erik ten Hag.
The Ineos spokesman told The Times that Ratcliffe, reportedly Britain's richest man, would be prepared to buy such a stake as a prelude to assuming full control at Old Trafford.
"If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership," the spokesman added.
The Glazers, who bought United in 2005 in a leveraged buyout that saddled the club with huge debts, have long been accused of taking more out financially than they have invested in terms of transfer funds or in redeveloping the club's crumbling Old Trafford ground.
They further angered United fans by backing the failed European Super League project in April last year which would have led to the club joining a breakaway competition.
United last won the Premier League in 2013 and have not lifted a major trophy since 2017, with last weekend's humiliating 4-0 loss away to Brentford leaving them bottom of England's top flight for the first time in 30 years.
"This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent," the Ineos spokesman also told The Times.
"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."
United fan Ratcliffe failed with a late bid for Premier League rivals Chelsea in May, losing out to US businessman Todd Boehly's consortium.
Ineos already owns French Ligue 1 football club Nice, Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport, the former Team Sky cycling franchise, and also sponsors Formula One constructors' world champions Mercedes.
Their interest in buying out the Glazers came after Elon Musk, the world's richest man, said he had only been joking when he said he was purchasing United.
"I'm buying Manchester United ur welcome," the 51-year-old Musk tweeted only to follow-up several hours later Tuesday by saying: "No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter. I'm not buying any sports teams."
Musk, who is embroiled in a lawsuit over his bid to buy Twitter, added: "Standup is my side hustle."
-
How much for Oasis tickets? Fans joke about splurging on reunion showsN.K. has no plans for press conference after ARF, decision remains up to Ri: N.K. official汉源青苹果幼儿园师生为玉树灾区捐款French federation to review image rights agreement10 Big Misconceptions About Computer HardwareThe one photo that shows exactly why women are fighting TrumpLa Liga condemns racist abuse of Vinicius JrAmazon Dash announces more than 50 new brand partnersNvidia GeForce Now Ultimate vs. New Graphics CardNYC subway riders can't help but sing along to 'I Want It That Way'
- ·How to unblock Xnxx for free
- ·North Korea does not seek improved relations with South Korea: US official
- ·Canada make Davis Cup quarter
- ·Can you trust a press secretary who swallows his gum whole?
- ·What to expect when a tech bubble bursts
- ·Stop buying into the idea of a skincare 'holy grail'
- ·North Korea develops translator using AI technology: propaganda website
- ·Births, weddings dip to lowest levels in May
- ·Webb telescope just snapped image of huge black hole gobbling material
- ·Alcaraz puts Spain into Davis Cup quarters
- ·Wawrinka sets up Medvedev meeting in Metz
- ·Bale confident of World Cup fitness
- ·21 College and University Museums
- ·迎“世界读书日”市区读书活动热烈开展
- ·UN committee approves draft resolutions calling for North Korea to give up nukes
- ·Car rental options up for ride
- ·Cheap heat
- ·Google purges nearly 200 websites in fake news crackdown
- ·Here's what Mark Hamill's got to say about the new 'Star Wars' title
- ·人人都享受运动的乐趣
- ·PS5 Pro: There are new whispers that the release date is fast approaching
- ·US denies hostile intent, reiterates willingness to talk with North Korea
- ·N.K. has no plans for press conference after ARF, decision remains up to Ri: N.K. official
- ·Ministry releases SK No. 2 on parole
- ·SCOTUS: The courts implementing Project 2025, without Trump.
- ·管制刀具当街卖快速依法打击
- ·Flying spaghetti monster and unworldly life filmed in deep sea footage
- ·汉源青苹果幼儿园师生为玉树灾区捐款
- ·Twinkies ice cream has arrived on a planet that might not be ready for it
- ·YouTube is removing North Korean content and no one knows why
- ·9 Festive Holiday Treats and Where to Find Them
- ·Canada make Davis Cup quarter
- ·The one photo that shows exactly why women are fighting Trump
- ·North Korea does not seek improved relations with South Korea: US official
- ·I used the Pixel 9 Pro XL in the shower — does the screen work when wet as claimed?
- ·People are sharing their worst depression meals and I'm gagging