MANCHESTER UNITED could look very different if Britain’s richest man were to take over.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe – who is worth a staggering £15BILLION – is reportedly plotting to buy the club as he wants “full control” over how it is run.
Were he to arrive at Old Trafford a more hands on approach from the owners, top transfer additions and installing one of the world’s most respected sporting coaches could be on the cards.
The billionaire businessman, who made his fortune as chief of chemical company Ineos, is already experienced in the football industry, having owned OGC Nice since August 2019.
He took over the Ligue 1 side for a reported £88million two years ago, but his time at the club has been mixed.
His first two seasons were deemed disappointing by fans with the club enduring two mid-table finishes and no Europa League football.
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But, following the genius appointment of French boss Christophe Galtier, the Eaglets soared up the table to cap off the 2021-22 campaign with a fifth place finish.
Things were on the up and following the club’s success Ratcliffe penned an open letter to fans promising to raise ambitions and become more deeply involved in proceedings.
Legendary cycling coach Sir Dave Brailsford is Ineos’ sporting director and has become heavily invested in his role at Nice, so much so that he began travelling to the training ground every day to work on transfers.
The recently-introduced ambitious nature has certainly shone through in Nice’s summer dealings with Premier League icons Aaron Ramsey and Kasper Schmeichel both joining on a permanent basis and Arsenal winger Nicholas Pepe linking up on a season-long loan.
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However, despite the new additions and improved attitudes, this season has not gone as planned.
Galtier left to become PSG boss before the campaign kicked off and Nice have struggled since.
They currently sit 19th in the Ligue 1 table with just two points from their opening four games.
But, both Ratcliffe and Brailsford clearly have more to give.
Many Man Utd fans would happily welcome the duo’s hands on approach to running the club – and, of course, the investment they would bring.
Brailsford, who is also manager of the Team Sky cycling team, has already admitted that football is not his strong suit, but it’s clear that he offers an incredible approach when it comes to signing players.
He told The Times: “I am not a football expert and I never will be.
“I will never catch up that expertise. I am here to put the right people in place to deliver.”
It’s no secret that United supporters are more than fed-up with the Glazer family’s lack of ambition.
The club have endured a miserable few years with little to cheer about, but the appointment of Ratcliffe and Brailsford could inject a new level of excitement and passion into the Old Trafford faithful.
However, the Glazers remain eager to cling onto what they already have.
Although Ratcliffe threw his hat into the ring a number of weeks ago, the current United chiefs have refused to entertain his interest.
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While a takeover could be on the cards, it might be a while before anything actually happens.
We might be in for a repeat of the ongoing Frenkie de Jong saga…
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
