Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes purchase of Manchester United stake - seizing control of football operations from Glazers

Petrochemicals billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed the purchase of a 27.7% stake in Manchester United through his INEOS conglomerate – enabling him to take control of football operations from the owning Glazer family.

A billboard featuring Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Manchester. Pic: PA

The deal ends a protracted saga that has engulfed United for 15 months without the full sale fans had been demanding to end the 19-year reign of the Glazers.

Sir Jim said becoming a co-owner was “a great honour and comes with great responsibility”.

“This marks the completion of the transaction, but just the beginning of our journey to take Manchester United back to the top of English, European and world football, with work-class facilities for our fans,” he said.

“Work to achieve those objectives will accelerate from today,” the 71-year-old added.

But Sir Jim is leading an overhaul of a club in decline – that is facing an 11th consecutive Premier League season ending without adding to their record 20 men’s league titles.

Erik ten Hag’s side is sixth in the Premier League, battling for one of the four lucrative Champions League places.

The American Glazer ownership has cost United more than £1bn in interest payments and dividends while servicing the debt they loaded onto the club.

And upgrading Old Trafford is a priority with the stadium in need of modernisation after seeing rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City move into new venues this century with better facilities and more ability to generate revenue.

The challenge is to usurp the now-dominant City – with their neighbours winning the last three titles.

But within weeks of Sir Jim agreeing his deal in principle, United have swooped to sign a City executive with Omar Berrada joining as CEO.

United are also looking to bring Dan Ashworth in as sporting director and the recruitment expert was this week placed on gardening leave by Newcastle.

Sir Jim’s bid for partial ownership was favoured over a complete buyout attempt by Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani.