MANCHESTER UNITED share prices on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) have skyrocketed amid Jim Ratcliffe’s interest in buying the club.
The Glazer family finally indicated that they could sell a stake in the Red Devils this week, leading to Ratcliffe’s interest emerging.
The British billionaire’s potential involvement has hugely affected United’s share price on the NYSE, seeing it rise to $13.77 (£11.47) – a 15 per cent higher sum than last week.
According to the Times’ Martyn Ziegler, this rise has seen shares become worth £200million more than at this time last week.
Shares in United on the NYSE cost $11.35 (£9.46) on August 9 – 21 per cent less than they cost today.
Ratcliffe, 69, is worth around 11bn and would jump at the chance to invest in Man United.
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The Ineos chief is keen to fully take over his beloved Red Devils, valued at around £5bn – and is eager to invest heavily in overhauling the playing squad and modernising Old Trafford.
A spokesperson said: “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer.
“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.
“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent.
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“Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset.”
Man United’s boost in share prices comes amid a humiliating start to life under Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils lost the Dutchman’s first game in charge 2-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford amid anti-Glazer protests from fans.
United were then thumped 4-0 by Brentford last Saturday on an even more embarrassing afternoon for the club.
More demonstrations against the Americans’ ownership are expected to take place ahead of their home clash with Liverpool on Monday night.
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Manchester United Supporters’ Trust have welcomed dialogue with potential bidders such as Ratcliffe.
Boyhood Red Devils fans Ratcliffe failed in a last-ditch bid to buy Chelsea in May.
Ratcliffe bought Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport in 2017, while he has also pumped cash into cycling’s Team Sky and Mercedes F1.
In 2019 he bought Ligue 1 outfit Nice, and he has also sponsored Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team.
The Times report that Ratcliffe is known to “seek full control” of any business he is involved with – suggesting that a minority stake in United would only be an initial measure.
He was ranked 27th in the 2022 Sunday Times Rich List.
SCATTERGUN APPROACH
United are desperately scrambling around in the transfer market as they seek to improve Ten Hag’s squad ahead of the deadline later this month.
The Red Devils have signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez so far this summer – although NONE of them have hit the ground running.
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United have abandoned much-criticised pursuits of Marko Arnautovic and Adrien Rabiot, but continue to be linked with a number of players.
Their scattergun approach sees them reportedly after Casemiro, Joao Felix, Thomas Meunier, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Antony.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
