This ongoing investment saga has moved slower than a snail carrying a bag of lead piping. But, finally, it seems like the Sir Jim Ratcliffe Manchester United investment is happening. If the vibes are right, Ratcliffe should hold a 25% stake in Manchester United by the end of November. Ratcliffe assumes control of all football operations in return for his investment, so the reports go.
This is not the Manchester United takeover that everybody expected. Nor is it yet the end of the Glazer ownership. But for many supporters of the club it is a step in the right direction.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United: Why?
Ratcliffe reportedly is set to pay $33 per share to the much derided Glazer family for his stake in Manchester United. This is a figure well above current trading levels of under $20 per share. That’s some serious commitment from Ratcliffe into a club he’s been a lifelong supporter of.
Let’s be real though. Ratcliffe – who at the time of writing is in the top 100 richest people in the world – hasn’t made a pile of money from being sentimental. Ratcliffe is buying a stake in Manchester United because he believes there is money to be made.
Much has been written about Manchester United, the Glazers and their reluctance to sell out completely to Ratcliffe. As such, I won’t go down that route. Instead, let’s take a look at how the 25% stake in Manchester United expands Ratcliffe’s already bulky sports portfolio.
Ratcliffe’s Other Sporting Investments
- Football: Ratcliffe has made football investments in France and Switzerland. Under the INEOS banner, Ratcliffe purchased Nice, a French Ligue 1 club, in 2019 for around £91 million. Under Ratcliffe’s ownership, Nice has finished in the top five of Ligue 1 twice. As of November 2023, Nice are second in Ligue 1. Priot to that, INEOS acquired FC Lausanne-Sport, a Swiss Super League club, in 2017. Lausanne have suffered a relegation during current ownership.
- Cycling: Formerly known as Team Sky, since 2019 the INEOS Grenadier Team competes in all major road and track cycling events. The roster of elite riders includes the likes of Olympic gold medal winners Tom Pidcock and Filippo Ganna.
- Sailing: INEOS Team UK (America’s Cup) participated in the 2021 America’s Cup, but despite having Olympic legend Sir Ben Ainslie helming the team, INEOS Team UK finished in last place.
- Formula 1: Ratcliffe masterminded INEOS purchasing a stake in the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team in 2020. Like the expected investment in Manchester United, the shareholding isn’t enough to hold a controlling stake, showing that Ratcliffe is happy to be a minority shareholder if he feels the price is right. INEOS own 33% of the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
- Rugby Union: INEOS Group is a global partner of the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby union team. The partnership aims to promote rugby union and inspire young athletes. New Zealand’s rugby union team reached the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, just losing out in a tense battle with South Africa.
- Athletics: Finally, INEOS provided the funding behind Eliud Kipchoge’s phenomenal sub-2 hour marathon run in 2019 when he became the first person ever to achieve the feat.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe Manchester United Investment: What Next?
This is the billion dollar question. Ratcliffe’s primary objective is to restore Manchester United to its former glory. The club famously hasn’t won the Premier League since the 2012/13 season. Bearing in mind Manchester United are presently one of the biggest spenders on transfers and wages in world football, it’s clear that throwing money at buying new players isn’t the answer.
The key to improving seems to lie in behind-closed-doors football operations. It’s generally acknowledged that Manchester United’s facilities lag behind leading rivals.
Old Trafford is falling down according to many fans. Meanwhile, training facilities at the Carrington training complex are said to be second-rate compared to other top clubs.
Then there is the recruitment policy. It’s repeatedly suggested that Manchester United’s scouting and use of player data is poor, resulting in too many high-cost, poor value player purchases.
One of the first casualties under the new regime is expected to be the CEO Richard Arnold. Don’t for one moment think he’ll be the only senior person on his way out of the club. Expect plenty more to follow.
