The Premier League has officially sanctioned Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United, marking a significant shift in the club’s ownership dynamics. The deal, valued at approximately $1.3 billion (£1.03 billion), paves the way for Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group to assume control over football operations, despite the Glazer family maintaining the majority shareholding. This development, still pending Football Association approval, is a landmark transaction under the Premier League’s revised owners’ and directors’ test.
Ratcliffe’s engagement with the club extends beyond mere ownership; his group is set to oversee the men’s and women’s football segments, along with the academies. The Premier League’s nod came with a condition for transaction completion confirmation.
This transaction, concluded on Christmas Eve, also earmarks $300 million (£236 million) for the future development of the Old Trafford stadium, indicating a long-term commitment to the club’s infrastructure and sporting success. Ratcliffe’s acquisition involves 25% of the club’s class B shares, primarily held by the Glazers, alongside a potential 25% of class A shares, publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.