Sir Jim Ratcliffe breaks silence on Man Utd investment and shares 'dodgy' joke ahead of Tottenham match

Sir Jim Ratcliffe breaks silence on Man Utd investment and shares 'dodgy' joke ahead of Tottenham match

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Sir Jim Ratcliffe breaks his silence on the Man Utd investment

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 14/01/2024

- 15:41

Updated: 14/01/2024

- 17:41

The British billionaire spoke briefly ahead of Sunday's Premier League match

Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes his investment into Manchester United will be ratified by the middle of February.

The INEOS founder has spoken to reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League game at home to Tottenham.


United finally confirmed on Christmas Eve that an agreement had been reached for Ratcliffe to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club.

It brought an end to a long-running takeover saga which began in November 2022 when the Glazer family indicated they would be willing to sell all or part of their shares.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe briefly spoke to reporters at Old Trafford on Sunday

Getty

Ratcliffe's right-hand man, and former British Cycling chief, Sir Dave Brailsford has been seen in the stands at recent United matches.

The pair were also pictured meeting Erik ten Hag and the playing staff at the Carrington training ground earlier this month.

Ratcliffe had so far kept quiet on the £1.3billion investment.

However, he made time to speak to reporters at Old Trafford in the build-up to Sunday's game against Spurs.


He started by saying: "It's the first match for me since we got here.

"I am very excited to be here, but I can't answer any questions really.

"It's a big match. We normally do well against Spurs."

Asked when he expects the investment to be confirmed, Ratcliffe said: "Early to mid-Feb, we hope."

He then joked: "We hope they don’t find anything dodgy in our CV!"

Ratcliffe admitted he won't be at Old Trafford for every game.

He said: "I can’t come all the time because I have a few other things to manage, but I’ll come quite a lot."

But the lifelong fan did say it was the most exciting project he has entered in his business career.

Ratcliffe replied: "Correct. Yes. I have done a few exciting things but this caps it all."

Ratcliffe revealed he first attended a match at Old Trafford when he was 10 years old, while adding his favourite players have been Paul Scholes and Eric Cantona.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke to the media in the press conference room

Getty

The 71-year-old is yet to meet the entire United squad, adding: "I have met Erik but (that would be) inappropriate until it is all formalised."

INEOS' investment into United comes amid a difficult season for Ten Hag.

The Dutchman revealed earlier this month that he had a positive chat with Ratcliffe when he was at Carrington.

Ten Hag said: "Very positive, I have to say. So many hours we sit together.

"On many issues we were on the same page. I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Erik ten Hag

Sir Jim Ratcliffe met Erik ten Hag at Carrington earlier this month

Getty

"We have to let it settle down. They’re just coming in, introducing themselves.

"They have good ideas; we have to see what we can integrate.

"In togetherness we will work but after one day you can’t tell that.

"They have given me a few [ideas], we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together."

You may like