Manchester United have finally confirmed Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club, with the INEOS chief taking a 25 percent stake in the Premier League big-hitters.
British billionaire Ratcliffe has issued a statement alongside the confirmation, laying out the next steps as he makes his mark on the club. With less than a week until the January transfer window opens, many will now be looking to the future.
The confirmation comes at a time when United languish in eighth in the table following their 13th defeat of the season away at West Ham. The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at the London Stadium to ensure they have now suffered the most defeats in a season before Christmas since 1930 and pile pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag is already said to be negotiating transfer deals for January, with Donny van de Beek's exit all but sealed. Jadon Sancho is also certain to head for the exit door, while the future remains unclear for Antony Martial and Real Madrid icons Casemiro. Fellow former Los Blancos ace Raphael Varane is believed to be heading for the Old Trafford exit door.
Stay tuned throughout Sunday and Mirror Football will bring you all the latest.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Thanks for joining us on today's live Manchester United blog, the day Sir Jim Ratcliffe's deal was finally made official.
The INEOS chief has now reached a £1.3billion agreement with the Glazer family and now a new era can begin at Old Trafford.
Just how different it'll be from the previous one remains to be seen.
Goodbye for now and have a merry Christmas!
The Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) have issued a statement expressing their caution over Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment.
It's been 18-and-a-half years since the Glazers took charge and their much-criticised tenure clear won't be forgotten even after ceding some control.
Read their statement HERE.
(AFP via Getty Images)FC United of Manchester, a club formed in 2005 in opposition to the Glazers' takeover of Manchester United, have issued a statement on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment.
"We’ll wait to see what, if any, significant difference this change of structure and investment will bring to the club we all love. Even though Ratcliffe’s involvement could see some positive changes, we do not believe it will be enough to change the deep-rooted issues at Manchester United or in modern football where supporters are regularly treated with disdain. We are mindful that the Glazer family will still hold a controlling 75 per cent stake in the club, so they will be free to continue extracting large dividends whilst ignoring supporters’ views. The Glazers’ ownership of Manchester United has been an unmitigated disaster with almost £2billion taken from the club and its supporters. Thousands of Reds fought against Malcolm Glazer’s hostile takeover in 2005 and his sons remain unwelcome today. We hope Ratcliffe’s involvement will mean that Manchester United and the fans are treated with the respect they deserve, which has been sadly lacking during the Glazer regime. For decades, Manchester United and numerous other football clubs across the UK have become playthings of rich benefactors with dubious morals and ethics. These people do not value or respect the fans, who are – and always will be – the lifeblood of the game. We believe that football as a whole should be owned and led by ordinary match-going fans. We strongly advocate clubs being fully owned by their supporters. As an absolute minimum, there should be better supporter engagement across football so that they have a meaningful voice on important issues. As well as having money stolen from their clubs, most fans have no say in the decision-making process. Their views are widely disregarded, and they are regularly subjected to extortionate ticket prices, anti-social kick-off times, and poor treatment on match days."
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as the favourite to become the new manager of Besiktas.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
Having been out of work since his sacking at Manchester United in November 2021, the Old Trafford legend is being tipped to become the Super Lig giants' third boss of the season.
Read the full story HERE.
(AFP via Getty Images)Gary Neville didn't mince his words when assessing Manchester United's squad following their dismal 2-0 defeat at West Ham yesterday.
Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville fumed: "They will let you down when they give you a glimmer of hope that they might be on track, they go lose a game they shouldn't.
"They have Aston Villa on Boxing Day but could lose against Nottingham Forest four days later. That's how daft it is and that's just what we watch. Inconsistency is a really bad trait in all walks of life, you want to be reliable and consistent.
"It's really important. United are inconsistent and the problems go a lot deeper, it's cultural failure all the way through the club, which can only be fixed by new ownership."
(Sky Sports)Let's recap what Sir Jim Ratcliffe had to say as part of today's 4pm announcement.
"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. Whilst the commercial success of the Club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times. We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the Club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford. We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion. We are committed to working with everyone at the Club – the Board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the Club forward. 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."
(PA)Manchester United are so keen on signing Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo that they're reportedly willing to give him seven times his current wage.
Mundo Deportivo also claim that United are open to paying the 22-year-old Japan international's €60million (£52m) release clause amid competition from Arsenal.
( Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy is not among the strikers being lined up by Manchester United.
Thats according to German outlet Sport1, who say the club have their sights set on former Bayern Munich starlet Joshua Zirkzee.
However, Bayern have a buy-back option for the Dutch striker, who they sold to Bologna in 2022.
Away from the takeover developments, Manchester United have provided an early team news update ahead of the Boxing Day meeting with Aston Villa.
Diogo Dalot is available again after missing the trip to West Ham through suspension, while United are sweating on the availability of Raphael Varane after he sat out the game through illness.
Varane's fellow centre-backs Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez all remain injured, though, so youngster Willy Kambiwala could yet be handed a second straight start.
A portion of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's statement after agreeing a deal to come on board at Manchester United suggests that he knows exactly where the blame for the club's problems lies
Read what he had to say HERE.
(DIRK WAEM/AFP via Getty Images)With Sir Jim Ratcliffe now finally set to come on board, he'll no-doubt have a say on the January transfer window.
With the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Takefuso Kubo linked, are five signings Manchester United could make under INEOS' guidance.
Jarrad Branthwaite is a key player for Everton (Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)Sir Jim Ratcliffe's pursuit of a 25 percent stake, rather than the initially proposed 69 percent, has been in the pipeline for more than six montha.
That's according to The Independent, who suggest such an idea was explored as early as May when it became clear the Glazers didn't want a full sale.
Only an 'astronomical' offer would have changed their minds over parting ways with their controlling stake, it has been claimed.
The Manchester United Supporters' Trust have issued a statement responding to the Sir Jim Ratcliffe deal, explaining they still have concerns over the Glazer family's continued involvement with the club.
“Today might – just might – be a step forward for Manchester United after some very difficult years," a segment of their statement reads.
"But with the Glazers still in charge, people should understand that United fans will remain sceptical and wait for the proof in the pudding.”
Plenty of interested observers have been keeping an eye on Manchester United's share price following the announcement over Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment.
When the markets closed on Friday, the prise sat ar $19.92 per share - its highest close of the last week.
United's share price last topped $20 a share in mid-October, while in February it briefly sat as high as $26.64.
The Glazer family have joined Sir Jim Ratcliffe in issuing a statement in the light of the investment in the club.
"We are delighted to have agreed this deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS," co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer said.
"As part of the strategic review we announced in November 2022, we committed to look at a variety of alternatives to help enhance Manchester United, with a focus on delivering success for our men’s, women’s and Academy teams.
"Sir Jim and INEOS bring a wealth of commercial experience as well as significant financial commitment into the Club."
Read the statement in full here
Avram and Joel Glazer at Old Trafford (AFP via Getty Images)Sir Dave Brailsford might be best known for his work in British cycling, but he and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have worked closely over recent years.
The 59-year-old has been director of sport for Team INEOS since December 2021, working across a number of sports.
His responsibilities also include a more prominent role with INEOS Grenadiers, the cycling team previously known as Team Sky.
Manchester United takeover hopeful Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani isn't the only bidder to take inspiration from United teams past.
The Qatari banker launched his bid through his Nine Two Foundation, named for United's 'Class of 92' who played a part in the club's 90s success.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment vehicle, though, is named 'Trawlers Ltd'. As recognised by The Athletic, the name is a reference to a famous quote from Eric Cantona, Ratcliffe's favourite United player.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has laid out what he hopes to do at Manchester United after his involvement with the club was confirmed.
Fans will hope his arrival heralds a new era for the club after a painful period under the Glazer family's ownership, with plenty of protests aainst the Americans held in recent years.
Read more about what Ratcliffe had to say here
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has slammed the club on the afternoon they announced Sir Jim Ratcliffe's stake.
"Manchester United 2023 has been a disgrace to the end," Neville wrote on social media.
"The timing of this is truly awful and no functioning organisation would even think about it.
"Anyway all the very best to Jim Radcliffe [sic] and I hope he can somehow work out a way to get the club right again and back to being something respectable on and off the pitch."
Sir Jim Ratcliffe might be the figurehead of the new era of Manchester United, but a number of others have been involved.
Those to play a part include Sir Dave Brailsford, the former British cycling chief who has championed a marginal gains philosophy.
Brailsford has been spotted around United's facilities, indicating he'll have a role to play going forward, and he's not the only one.
Read more about the key men involved here
Sir Dave Brailsford has lent his expertise to Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the past (PA)Manchester United aren't in the best of shape on the pitch as they welcome Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment.
Defeat at West Ham on Saturday left them down in eighth, with a big gap to the Champions League spots.
Ratcliffe will have plenty of things to take care of following his arrival, including a number of off-field patters.
Get the lowdown on Ratcliffe's four biggest priorities
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United investment has been confirmed (AFP via Getty Images)Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in Manchester United has been a very long time coming.
More than a year has passed since owners the Glazer family confirmed they were open to investment, and there were initially hopes a deal might be concluded before the end of the 2022-23 season.
A number of parties have been involved in the battle, including some who chased full ownership, but it's Ratcliffe who has won out.
Relive the full timeline here
Long-time Manchester United owner Joel Glazer (AP)"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. Whilst the commercial success of the Club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times. We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the Club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.
“We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion. We are committed to working with everyone at the Club – the Board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the Club forward.
“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.”
Manchester United have finally confirmed Sir Jim Ratcliffe has purchased a 25 per cent stake in the club in a deal worth around £1.3billion.
Final negotiations around the deal with the Glazer family, who will remain majority shareholders in the club, took place earlier this week. The partial takeover is still subject to ratification from the Premier League, which could take up to six weeks, but none of the parties involved expect there to be significant issues.
British billionaire Ratcliffe will take control of football operations at Old Trafford despite the Glazers retaining the largest shareholding. The American family have been in charge of the club since their much-criticised leveraged buyout in 2005, which has led to continued fan protests throughout their 18-year reign and a remarkable decline in footballing success since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.
Ratcliffe, 71, plans to offer United supporters hope of a brighter future, with the founder and chief executive of petrochemical conglomerate INEOS working hard for much of the past year to strike a deal. After the Glazers announced that they would be "exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale" in late 2022, Manchester-born Ratcliffe battled with Qatari banker for Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani for a majority takeover.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent purchase of Manchester United is expected to be finally announced today, as per Mail Sport.
Britain's richest man is gearing up to take charge of all of United's footballing operations and will call the shots on key issues, including Erik ten Hag's future at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag 's hopes of making January signings are in tatters after being told it will be 'business as usual' despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe's proposed new investment.
The INEOS boss has reportedly agreed a deal that will see him purchase a 25 per cent stake in in a £1.25billion deal. However, negotiations are yet to be officially completed and once announced, it will take weeks for the deal to be ratified by the relevant parties.
And according to the Daily Star, during a recent internal meeting at Old Trafford, outlining plans for 2024, members were told the club will continue to operate in the same way until March. That notion is likely to infuriate fans, with talks between Ratcliffe and the Glazers still dragging on.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s protracted £1.2bn purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United has finally been completed, with an official announcement set to arrive later on Christmas eve.
The Ineos chief, who is a lifelong supporter of the club, will take over footballing operations at Old Trafford.
Final negotiations around the deal with the Glazer family, who remain majority shareholders in the club, took place earlier this week.
The deal is still subject to ratification from the Premier League but neither side expect there to be significant issues.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent purchase of Manchester United is expected to be finally announced today, as per Mail Sport.
Britain's richest man is gearing up to take charge of all of United's footballing operations and will call the shots on key issues, including Erik ten Hag's future at Old Trafford.
(Getty Images)Gary Neville has slammed the current crop of Manchester United players and claimed they can't be trusted to perform consistently.
Despite a resilient display at Anfield last weekend, holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw, the Red Devils turned in an inept performance at West Ham on Saturday. Erik ten Hag's side went down 2-0 at the London Stadium, failing to muster a single shot on target during the second half.
They now lie eighth in the Premier League table in a season where they have already been eliminated from both Europe and the League Cup. But speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, the former club right-back wasn't shocked by the capitulation in London.
Find Neville's assessment in full
Peter Schmeichel has questioned why Erik ten Hag overlooked one of his former players, Mohammed Kudus, in the transfer window.
Kudus scored the second goal as West Ham beat Man United 2-0 at the London Stadium, his fifth Premier League goal of the season.
“There’s something about that boy (Kudus), he’s special," said the pundit. "I don’t get it, if he (Ten Hag) knows these boys very well, why did he pick Antony ahead of Kudus?”