02 February 2024 , 00:59
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been given the green light to move Manchester United away from Old Trafford – but the INEOS billionaire is unlikely to take up the offer.
Ratcliffe is still waiting for his £1.3billion deal for 25 per cent of the club to be officially ratified. But the 71-year-old is already putting plans in place for his arrival, with his right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford overseeing the sporting side of things at the club.
There are also plans afoot surrounding Old Trafford, which desperately needs renovating for United to keep up with their rivals. As a club statement confirmed on December 24: “Sir Jim will provide a $300million (£235m) fund intended to enable future investment into the club’s infrastructure at Old Trafford, comprising $200m paid upon the closing of the transaction and a further $100m by the end of 2024.”
That money could be used in a variety of ways and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has now confirmed that he held “exciting” talks with Ratcliffe about what the future might hold.
Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester: “We are absolutely standing behind the club. Whatever it is they want, we will facilitate and we will be there to make sure the club is set up for the future. There is exciting potential here. I am talking to the club and I may be seeing them next week as well.
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“Sir Jim Ratcliffe has really brought a lot of energy to the situation. Sir Dave Brailsford is a brilliant person. [He is] the architect of the success of British cycling over the last couple of decades and the velodrome in Manchester.
“We’re really backing the club. We’re not trying to steer them anywhere, we are just saying whatever you decide, if it’s refurbishing Old Trafford or building a new ground, we will stand behind the club and make sure the plan works.”
Andy Burnham has held talks with Manchester United officials (PA)Ratcliffe spoke briefly about Old Trafford last year and he confirmed he would not consider renaming the club's home. "I hadn't thought of that, but no," he replied when asked about stadium naming rights. "That would be heresy. I would not change it. It's always Old Trafford."
And the boyhood United fan has also reportedly ruled out building an entire new stadium, instead preferring to renovate Old Trafford. He said in his statement in December: “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.”