Manchester United FC: Ineos, led by Jim Ratcliffe, officially announces takeover bid

"We have formally put ourselves into the process" with the aim of acquiring Manchester United FC (Premier League), said a spokesperson for the British group Ineos (chemicals) to the British daily The Times on 17/01/2023. The company is run by English businessman Jim Ratcliffe, who was born in Greater Manchester (ENG) and who already owns OGC Nice (Ligue 1 Uber Eats) and Lausanne-Sport (Credit Suisse Super League).

This first public statement from a potential buyer comes two months after Manchester United's board announced that it was beginning "a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions" on 22/11/2022.

"I’m a lifelong Manchester United fan. The club is owned by the Glazer family, who I have met. I have met Joel and Avram. They are the nicest people, I have to say, proper gentlemen. They don't want to sell the club," said Jim Ratcliffe (70), in October 2022, when his interest in buying Manchester United had been mooted in the summer of 2022.

The Glazer family, whose brothers Avram and Joel are…