07 February 2024 , 03:00
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The Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Manchester United is almost officially upon us.
With ratification of the INEOS chairman's £1.3billion agreement to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the club from current owners the Glazer family expected in the coming weeks, Ratcliffe has long been gearing up to make seismic changes at Old Trafford - quite literally. The British petrochemicals tycoon hopes to revamp the Red Devils' 114-year home, but it's what happens on the pitch that'll dictate how his era is viewed and he's already preparing to make a splash in the transfer market.
Here's a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe to repeat Glazer transfer strategy
Manchester United plan to repeat the same strategy which allowed them to buy Mason Mount for a cut-price fee last summer. Mount, having been at Chelsea his entire career, had entered the final year of his contract when United made their approach and snapped him up for an initial £55million.
While that's still plenty of cash, it was a smaller fee than what Chelsea would've demanded had he signed a one-year extension with the Blues. According to ESPN, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to focus on players who are nearing the end of their deals such as Bayern Munich linchpin Joshua Kimmich, Lille striker Jonathan David and highly-rated midfielder Khephren Thuram, who plays for INEOS-owned Nice.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Read the full story HERE.
Mason Mount was signed for £55million after entering the final year of his contract at Chelsea (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Your turn! Who should Manchester United sign this summer? Give us your picks in the comments section.
Stadium plans emerge
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is considering asking the UK government to help fund an Old Trafford regeneration project, with a £2billion investment eyed to transform Manchester United's stadium into the 'Wembley of the north'. The Telegraph report that Ratcliffe, 71, wants to turn Old Trafford into the shining light of football in the north with a state-of-the-art upgrade.
The INEOS founder and chief executive could lean on Parliament to make Old Trafford part of the 'Levelling Up' programme which aims to addressing a lack of funding the north. Although he's broadly opposed to relocating, Ratcliffe believes that supporters would be amenable to a new ground being built on the land immediately surrounding the Red Devils' beloved home.
Read the full story HERE.
Extraordinary vote passes to green-light Ratcliffe investment
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken another step towards officially becoming a minority shareholder in Manchester United. A filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States shows that an extraordinary general meeting was held on Monday which approved a special resolution that'll see the club's Class B shares purchased by Ratcliffe and carry enhanced voting powers.
The SEC filing showed that those in possession of 98.2 per cent of United's total shares were present and overwhelmingly approved the proposal to change.
Read the full story HERE.