It all came so suddenly, and at a time when the club's results were in a quagmire, there was a breakthrough in the sale of Manchester United. At 0:00 on December 25, Beijing time, Manchester United released an official news, saying that the INEOS Group led by Jim Ratcliffe acquired 25% of the club's shares, and Ratcliffe will also take over Manchester United's football business. TA said the price of the acquisition was around £1.3 billion.
According to the official announcement, Ratcliffe's purchase price is $33 per share, while Manchester United's closing price on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday was $19.64 per share, and Ratcliffe's purchase premium is about 68.02%. Sir Ratcliffe is reportedly set to appoint Manchester United's relevant positions, and well-known journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news, saying that Manchester United will have a new manager, a new transfer strategy and a different plan for 2024, which is expected to take time, but there will definitely be changes.
Part of Ratcliffe's team believes that United's situation can only be improved by operating smarter, rather than by spending money to solve problems. Ratcliffe also said: "We don't like to waste money, otherwise we wouldn't be where we are today. It's part of our DNA to spend our money wisely," he once told reporters: "Manchester United have always been wronged and buying a player like Fred is an example of that. ”
From November 22, 2022, Manchester United announced that the Glazer family is open to selling the club, and now the official announcement that 25% of the shares have been sold, it has been 13 months, during which Qatar's Jassim offered $7 billion, but five offers were rejected by Manchester United. The reason is simple, Jassim wants to own 100% of Manchester United, and the Glazer family does not want to lose this cash cow.
Speaking after the announcement, the Glazer family said: "Through INEOS' sporting division, Manchester United will have access to experienced, high-calibre professionals with a proven track record of creating and leading elite teams on and off the pitch. Manchester United has a lot of talented people and our desire has always been to improve in all areas and give the fans a real sense of what we can achieve in the future. ”
Sir Ratcliffe is the founder and chairman of the INEOS Group, with a net worth of $15.2 billion, which is enough to support Manchester United's operations. Crucially, people are tired of the manoeuvres at Manchester United's top brass and want everything to get back on track in a scientific way. This time, Ratcliffe at least brought hope to Red Devils fans, is the sky of the Theater of Dreams about to dawn?