Sir Jim Ratcliffe is greeted by Man United CEO Richard Arnold at Old Trafford as Britain’s richest man prepares for his presentation to buy the Premier League giants…after his Saudi rivals made their pitch yesterday
By Oli Gamp for Mailonline
09:45 17 Mar 2023, updated 10:08 17 Mar 2023
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe has arrived at Old Trafford for Man United takeover talks
- He was pictured landing in Manchester before greeting Richard Arnold
- The billionaire hopes to be selected for Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has arrived in Manchester for talks with Man United leaders as the billionaire tries to charm officials with his vision for the club.
The UK’s richest man was photographed at Old Trafford on Friday after arriving at City to discuss his possible takeover with club officials, as he rivals a group of Qatari bidders – led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani – who made their presentation on Thursday gifts.
Ratcliffe, owner of Ligue 1 side Nice and head of INEOS, a partner of the Mercedes F1 team, was photographed arriving at Old Trafford and greeted by CEO Richard Arnold.
Sportsmail reported that talks between Al Thani representatives and United leaders lasted about ten hours and were positive as they were shown around Old Trafford and their training complex in Carrington.
Al Thani has now been invited to make a second bid for United and he has ten days to submit the bid as he seeks to take control of the club from the Glazers, who have controlled the Red Devils since 2005. have possession.
Ratcliffe now hopes to convince United that his offer is the best way forward. He is joined in the talks by ex-Team Sky and British Cycling supremo Sir Dave Brailsford, co-Ineos owners Andy Currie and John Reece, and Ineos Chairman and CEO Rob Nevin and Jean Claude Blanc.
Ratcliffe’s group wants to take control of the Glazers, while Sheikh Jassim wants 100 per cent of the club and has pledged to pay off the historic debt from the Glazer buyout.
Speaking of its bid in February, Ratcliffe’s company Ineos outlined their desire to make United ‘the number one club in the world again’ and pledged to be ‘custodians’ of the club on behalf of one fans.
“We would see our role as the long-term stewards of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community,” Ineos said.
“We are ambitious and highly competitive and would like to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world again…making the club a beacon for a modern, forward-thinking, fan-focused approach to ownership.”