Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first job at Manchester United will probably be to win over the disgruntled supporters.
In light of the Glazer family’s decision to stay, we already reported that security preparations are being strengthened in front of their upcoming home game.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces a massive job to get fans on side if he completes his purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Man Utd
Sheikh Jassim pulled out of the race to buy the Red Devils on Saturday
That came after Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the race to become United’s owner, claiming the Glazers were asking for an “outlandish” amount in exchange for selling the team.
On Saturday, after nine months of intense talks, the Qatari withdrew his £5 billion offer and informed the Glazers he was no longer interested.
The only alternative left is to buy a mere twenty-five per cent stake in the Red Devils, as suggested by Sir Jim.
The Old Trafford board will decide on Thursday whether to accept or reject Ratcliffe’s offer and demand for “sporting control.”
But what might happen at a United owned by Ratcliffe?
As far as the fans are concerned, Sun Sport examines five factors that would contribute to Sunny Jim becoming the richest man in Britain:
ENSURE THAT IT’S A NEW START.
The Glazers’ announcement that they will keep 75% of the team for the time being will come as a shock to many fans, who will be waiting for concrete evidence of progress.
Perhaps some of that will be cosmetic; it would be nice to see some areas of Old Trafford given a fresh coat of paint.
However, it implies that Ratcliffe may suggest that the Glazers abstain from the club.
More importantly, Ratcliffe needs to show that he IS in command of the athletic department by dismissing some of the established names.
It is acknowledged that a large number of the club’s employees are concerned about their futures, but the “little guys” shouldn’t be the targets of criticism.
It’s unclear if the Glazers will just comply with any requests for changes in the boardroom, which might still be a major obstacle in the next talks.
Fans are furious that the Glazers are staying at the club and want them gone
COMMIT TO THINGS IN JANUARY
No one could claim that Erik ten Hag was not given the money he requested in the summer by the present United board.
In order to acquire Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Sofyan Amrabat, and other players, United paid almost £180 million.
However, the team’s current record suggests that they have actually regressed from the previous season, and they now face Copenhagen in the Champions League, which they must win in order to have a realistic chance of moving on to the knockout stages.
Making it known that a true superstar will be signed in January, regardless of the price, would truly make a difference.
Economically, it might not make sense. Football logic would dictate otherwise. The supporters require proof that things are heading in the correct way.
Sheikh Jassim was determined to bring Kylian Mbappe to United, and the high-profile signing of such a player would undoubtedly make angry supporters happy.
The potential signing of a big-name like Kylian Mbappe would get fans on side
Please, no debt; we are British.
The Glazers, who acquired the team for £790 million in 2005, have been a major source of annoyance for the supporters as they have continued to accrue debt and reap millions in dividends from shareholders.
According to the most recent quarterly data, United owes more than £1 billion.
Although the Glazers still possess a majority of the shares, Ineos is currently only a minority shareholder, despite Sheikh Jassim’s pledge to eliminate the situation entirely.
The supporters will think nothing has changed if the Americans continue to run the “business” part of the team, piling up debt and depleting the club more through payments.
Man Utd’s famous Old Trafford home is seriously outdated
AN OLD TRAFFORD CONCRETE PLAN
Sheikh Jassim promised to invest £1.4 billion in the club, and community programs, including the reconstruction of Old Trafford and the Carrington training facility. However, he is out of the running now.
The harsh reality is that the largest club stadium in England is outdated, worn out, and essentially unusable. Definitely not the right place for the largest club in the nation to call home.
Ratcliffe and his team have stated that they want to increase the capacity to 90,000, but until actual, costed architectural ideas are revealed along with a clear timeline, it is just wishful thinking.
Fine if that entails constructing on the nearby property that is being utilized as a parking lot to ensure a smooth transition. However, it must be swift.
AGREE TO THE NEXT STEPS OF INVESTMENT
Both Ineos and Sir Jim have expressed their view that the first agreement with the Glazers is only the beginning of their ultimate acquisition of a controlling interest.
However, that will need spending at least an additional £1.4 billion to reach the 50% plus one level. The Glazers won’t have much negotiating power once they become a minority, so the asking price will probably go up.
Supporters want to see tangible share acquisitions as proof that Sir Jim is sincere about ending the Glazer dynasty.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) wants to be in charge of all football operations at United