Sir Jim Ratcliffe would reportedly have influence over sporting appointments at Manchester United which could affect the future of John Murtough. Sir Dave Brailsford will likely get a role at Old Trafford which may throw doubt over the current football director’s position.
Ratcliffe is set to buy a 25 per cent minority stake in United. His main takeover rival, the Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim, pulled out of the running on Saturday.
Sheikh Jassim had submitted five bids to buy the Red Devils outright, with his final offer of around £5billion submitted in June. But it did not meet the Glazers’ valuation of United and after months of speculation, he has finally withdrawn his interest.
INEOS founder Ratcliffe has been competing with Sheikh Jassim throughout the process but was never prepared to buy United outright. It emerged last week that he was open to buying a 25 per cent stake and that now appears to be in line to happen.
The Athletic says a deal has been agreed in principle subject to being ratified with the United board. It would mean the Glazers still own a majority stake despite years of protest from the club’s supporters against them.
The same report says Ratcliffe’s deal is on the basis that he would have influence on sporting decisions and appointments. Brailsford is likely to land a role, similar to the director of sport position he holds at Nice – another club Ratcliffe owns.
But it is said that what that means for Murtough is currently unclear. Murtough has been at United for nine years and was appointed football director in March 2021 after previously being the head of football development.
The Athletic claims Erik ten Hag’s position will be safe, while discussions will be held over Richard Arnold’s position as chief executive. Former British cycling chief Brailsford, 59, has been in his role at Nice since December 2021.
In June this year, he confirmed Ratcliffe’s desire to buy a stake in United. Brailsford outlined the wish to bring the glory days back to the club.
He told ITV: “Obviously we’ve been involved and it’s something that we’re very keen to do. It’s not something we can discuss in detail, we’ve got to sign up to NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and all the rest of it.
“But it’s an ongoing process and we’d very much like to do it. To be custodians of one of one of the biggest sporting teams, brands, in the world and trying to really support the team and go back to the success they deserve.
“And also the fanbase. I’ve worked in Manchester for a long time, we saw the team become a global phenomenon, Team Sky have done the same.
“I know Manchester really well so you get a sense of what the club is all about and what the fans want. If we’re part of the process, we hope to do that.”
