Manchester United are set to witness a change of ownership as The Glazers are finally ready to sell the Old Trafford outfit.
Ratcliffe and his Ineos petro-chemicals giant have been battling the right to own the biggest club in England with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.
There have been a tug of war over the past 5 months which has seen three rounds of bidding which ended up growing the desire of co-chairman Joel and Avram Glazer to remain at Manchester United.
Futballnews understands that Ratcliffe is the preferred partner as the US-based Raine Group, is expected to confirm the “winning” bid within days.
And this move would indicate that the other Old Trafford top senior brass, including CEO Richard Arnold will leave the club except for the two Glazer siblings.
Insiders at Old Trafford have indicated that the Glazers would rather sell the majority control to Ratcliffe’s Ineos Sport than give the whole club to Sheikh Jassim.
Sheikh Jassim already made £5bn bid for full control and it was the highest sum offered while Sir Jim and Ineos’ deal for 50% valued the full club at a price point closer to the Glazers’ demanded £6bn.
Reports have it that a number of American financial institutions have also bid to buy minority stakes in the club that could allow the Glazers retain some level of control.
These condition will allow the Glazers not just control but also finance improvements to the Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground.
Ratcliffe-led partial takeover is the preferred option for the Glazers as the deal will see them have some portion of the club.
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust are keen on cutting all ties with the American family as soon as there’s a new owner since the supporters believe that the Glazers have frustrated them.
But the recent development on the sale that would allow Joel and Avram to remain at the club is not supported by the supporters’ club.
Sky Sports recently reported that Ratcliffe’s latest bid includes clauses that would see him complete a 100% buyout of Manchester United in three years after buying the club.
Chief executive Arnold and other senior management figures might be the first to leave Old Trafford as things stands for now.
Sales of clubs often come with wholesale change at the top level and that has proven to be an issue also – using Chelsea FC as an example.
When Chelsea was sold last year, they lost executive director Marina Granovskaia, chairman Bruce Buck, and technical and performance adviser Petr Cech.
Todd Boehly, who bought the club, appointed himself the interim sporting director and despite £600m of spending on players, Chelsea have had the poorest run in their history.
Arnold succeeded Ed Woodward as United supremo last season and he helped moved for the appointment of Erik ten Hag together with Ralf Rangnick.
Arnold and some of his senior colleagues will have to leave Old Trafford despite the improvement Manchester United have shown in the last few weeks once a new owner comes in.
