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    Gary Neville accuses Man Utd of ‘playing Football Manager’ before Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived as he slams three signings

    GARY NEVILLE has accused the Glazers of “playing Football Manager” with Manchester United.The mood at Old Trafford has changed since the announcement that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has purchased 25 per cent of the club and will run football operations.
    Gary Neville has taken aim at the Glazers for their mismanagement of the clubCredit: PA
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already begun his rebuild at Man UtdCredit: PA
    The Glazers are still majority owners at Old TraffordCredit: AFP
    Man Utd have won seven of their nine games since the news and off the pitch, the British billionaire has already appointed Omar Berrada as CEO from Manchester City.
    And Ratcliffe is also lining up a move for highly-rated Newcastle transfer chief Dan Ashworth.
    Asked about his possible arrival and the change already seen under Ineos, Neville said: “It was getting to the point where we were getting mocked for mentioning the Glazers every time Man Utd lost a football match.
    “People would say ‘Well the Glazers aren’t the ones playing football’.
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    “But for 10 years, every Manchester United manager operated without a CEO, without a sporting director, without a director of football.
    “That is madness, forget negligence, that’s just madness.
    “Obviously Sir Jim Ratcliffe is coming in and appointing a CEO that has actually been at a football club before and everyone is applauding him for it – that’s staggering.
    “I can’t believe it hasn’t happened already, it’d never be allowed to happen at another club in the country.”
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    Neville then slammed the Glazers, saying: “They have shown blind loyalty to people who have been really good to them over a long period of time.
    “Ed Woodward was at the club for 10-12 years, they have believed everything he said.
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    “It was a little bit like they were playing Football Manager.
    “We can literally go and look at the best players without having serious people operating the club.”
    He highlighted the signings of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as evidence the Glazers signed big name players with a lack of long-term vision.
    Di Maria arrived in 2014 for £60million, he stayed just one year and scored four goals before joining PSG for a reported £44m fee.
    Falcao came in on loan the same year and struggled to make an impact, finding the back of the net just four times.
    Ibrahimovic, however, was a success as he won the Europa League and Carabao Cup with Man Utd, scoring 29 goals across two seasons.
    Ratcliffe is determined to take the club down a different direction in the transfer market – rather than be drawn in by the biggest name players.
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    And he is set to ruthlessly rebuild the squad, with Neville convinced the current players are fighting to prove their worth to the new owner.
    The pundit said: “What Ratcliffe has come in and done is say to all of them ‘I’m looking at every single one of you lot – you’re all playing for your future.”
    Angel Di Maria left just a season after joining Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    The signing of Radamel Falcao also did not work outCredit: PA:Empics Sport
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic won two trophies with the clubCredit: Getty More

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    Dan Ashworth in Man Utd transfer tussle with Newcastle.. while son Zac plots his own journey to the top

    WHILE Dan Ashworth looks set to plot Manchester United’s return to glory, his son Zac is at the start of his own football journey.The Bolton left-back – on loan from West Brom – is lucky to have always been able to tap into one of English football’s brightest minds for help and advice.
    Dan Ashworth with his son, Bolton defender Zac, watching Manchester United v Newcastle at Old Trafford in October 2018
    Zac Ashworth has been on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One this season
    United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to poach Dan Ashworth, 52, from Newcastle to become sporting director.
    And Zac knows exactly the attributes that have made his dad a success while also inspiring him and his two siblings – younger brother Finn and older sister Tegan – in their own careers.
    The 21-year-old ace told SunSport: “My dad has been massive for me. He was never one of those who forced me to play football if I didn’t enjoy it. 
    “I’ve a little brother, who is at Wolves, and we used to play football together but he didn’t push us to do anything we didn’t want to.
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    “My sister for example is a psychologist so she chose her career and he’s made sure whatever we decided to do he’d be there for us.
    “As I got older and football became more serious when I turned pro at West Brom, having my dad to talk to has become even more important.
    “I speak to him every day and he’ll always ask, ‘How was training, what happened?’ He can’t come to as many games for obvious reasons but we speak a lot. 
    “He’s a big part of my career. Any problems or questions, I can just pick up the phone to him. Dad is always there to help. He has the experience and knowledge.”
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    It’s in the bad times when you’re injured or not in the team that his advice and help is important. He always finds a way to keep me level. Zac Ashworth, Bolton left-back
    But while Dan Ashworth is a huge figure in his career, Zac says his mum Sian has been equally as influential and important.
    He said: “My mum did all the hard yards. She’d always be the one taking me and my brother to and from training and games, having to stand on the touchline in the freezing cold.
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants Government to help pay for £2BILLION Wembley of the North Man Utd stadium
    “She played a huge part when dad was working and not at home.”
    While Dan Ashworth oversaw the creation of the ‘England DNA’ model during his time as the FA’s technical director, his own genes are clearly evident among his three children.
    England boss Gareth Southgate with Dan Ashworth while he was FA technical director
    Dan Ashworth has been praised for his work at Newcastle United
    One of the biggest qualities Zac and his siblings learned growing up in the Ashworth household was the value of hard work.
    And that has helped the defender enormously – as he knows in football you cannot take anything for granted. 
    It requires sacrifice and dedication to become a pro – but to stay there and achieve higher goals takes even more.
    And Zac said: “They taught us you must work for everything you want. Nothing comes easy, nothing gets given to you on a plate. They’ve never given us handouts or what we wanted without working for it.
    “They’re always there to help and support us. But everything I’ve got I’ve worked for myself and that’s the most important thing – staying grounded and not losing that edge to work hard.
    “My mum was a teacher so even when I was a full-time scholar at West Brom, she was keen on me to do my A Levels as a back-up because no-one knows what’s going to happen. 
    Dan Ashworth in conversation with the late Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton at Wembley
    “It’s such a tough sport to crack and stay at the top. She was keen on me having those second options if things didn’t work out so I did an A level in history and business.”
    After playing local youth football, Zac joined the West Brom set-up aged about seven where his dad was technical director.
    And he gradually progressed through the age groups until signing pro forms – and his dad was with him every step of the way.
    Zac said: “When I was younger, it wasn’t quite as serious. He was very much, ‘You play football because you enjoy it.’
    “Even though you’re fairly good at it as a kid, there’s never a thought of what you must do at 12, 13, 14 to become a pro. 
    “You just enjoy playing with your mates. There’s none of that pressure and expectation that comes with it.
    “But when you start playing first-team football, it’s new and different. 
    “It’s in the bad times when you’re injured or not in the team that his advice and help is really important – but he always finds a way to keep me level. 
    Zac Ashworth is loving his time at Bolton as they bid for promotion
    Zac Ashworth has been taught the value of staying grounded by his parents
    “If I do well, he keeps me grounded. He always says to me it’s never as good or bad as you think it is. 
    “He has ingrained into me the need to keep that neutral head space and take one game at a time.”
    Zac became a Baggies fan through being taken to games by his dad and idolised Chris Brunt and James Morrison.
    So he fulfilled a boyhood dream by breaking into the first-team two years ago.
    And, in an extraordinary twist of fate, he made his debut in the FA Cup at The Hawthorns against Brighton, where his dad then was technical director.
    So Dan Ashworth was in the stands to proudly watch his boy come on as a 68th-minute sub – ironically replacing his ex-youth team-mate Taylor Gardner-Hickman.
    Zac Ashworth scored a stunning volley against Carlisle in January
    His Bergkamp-style volley won him the SkyBet League One goal of the month
    Zac said: “It was a dream come true – not only to play for West Brom but to look up and see my dad sitting in the stands because he was working at Brighton.
    “And my mum, who is a nervous watcher of games anyway, looked like she was about to cry!
    “Sometimes these things are meant to be.”
    Ashworth has made three starts and three sub appearances for the Baggies before going on loan to Burton for the second half of last season.
    This campaign at Bolton has taken a bit of time for him to get going due to back-to-back injuries plaguing him at the start.
    But he has been playing more games recently and won the SkyBet League One goal-of-the-month award this week for his audacious Bergkamp-style volley against Carlisle. 
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    He laughed “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it back!”
    You can bet his dad has too! More

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    Where Man Utd’s ‘£2bn ‘Wembley of the North’ would be built as fans say ‘brilliant idea… get on with it’

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans are growing tired of their ageing stadium and new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to do something about it.The British billionaire is exploring the idea of building a brand new ground for the Red Devils next to where Old Trafford currently sits.
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe is exploring the idea of building a new home for Man UtdCredit: PA
    The new stadium would be situated behind the Stretford End of Old Trafford
    The new home for Man Utd would be built directly behind the Stretford End on a piece of land currently owned by the club.
    It would be erected between the Birdgewater Canal and the railway lines that run past Old Trafford at the moment.
    United own a stretch of land surrounding the stadium that is used for car parking and offices, but could be re-purposed for a new ground.
    Old Trafford is now 114 years old and fans have been complaining of a leaking roof, rusting metal and the dated venue lagging decades behind that of United’s biggest rivals.
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    And Racliffe has already vowed to pump in £237million for club infrastructure once his £1.3billion takeover is ratified by the Premier League – which is expected to be confirmed later this month.
    The Ineos chief has enlisted the help of Stadium developers Populous to draft up some options to improve the club’s facilities.
    Populous are behind some of the most impressive arena’s in the world including the brand new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the iconic Wembley arch and the eye-catching Las Vegas Sphere.
    The firm have put forward the option of either renovating Old Trafford for around £800m or starting a fresh by building a brand new 90,000-seater stadium dubbed the “Wembley of the north”.
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    The exciting option of a shiny new ground would cost considerably more though, with such a project likely to set the club back between £1.5bn and £2bn.
    Populous CEO Chris Lee has urged Ratcliffe and Man Utd to opt for the idea of a new stadium rather than the redevelopment of the iconic Old Trafford.
    Manchester United’s fall from glory since Sir Alex Ferguson
    Fans too are keen for the club to get cracking on the new ground with many taking to social media to voice their opinions.
    One wrote: “Brilliant idea. Get on with it. Been to Old Trafford loads of times.
    “Great place but a new stadium can still embrace elements from the existing structure. The history can be honoured while embracing the future.”
    While another added: “Genuinely so excited for a new stadium. I’m looking towards the future.”
    Ratcliffe’s Ineos are said to be looking for outside investment should they choose to embark on the construction of a new stadium.
    They could also try and lobby the UK Government to help fund the £2bn venue as part of the ‘Levelling Up’ pledges.
    Although former sports minister Tracey Crouch argued against the idea of public cash being splashed on a new stadium for Man Utd.
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    She told City AM: “Old Trafford may need upgrading to meet today’s standards, but funding should not come out of the taxpayer’s pocket to benefit the billionaires who own the club.
    “Especially as other clubs like Bury have faced ruin, devastating the town around them, with no bailout from the public purse.”
    Fans are growing tired of the 114-year-old Old Trafford
    An artist’s impression of how a new stadium might look next to the existing Old Trafford More

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    Sir Jim Ratcliffe attends first Man Utd match at Old Trafford since completing 25 per cent takeover

    SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is convinced he will have control of football operations at Manchester United ratified within weeks.The INEOS boss attended his first match at Old Trafford today since it was agreed that he would purchase 25 per cent of the club.
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe has arrived at Old Trafford for his first game since the announcement of his takeoverCredit: Rex
    The British billionaire spoke to the press inside the groundCredit: Getty
    That will include taking entire control of the footballing side of United.
    Ahead of the game Ratcliffe walked around the corridors of Old Trafford meeting staff and media.
    He could not answer many specific questions about his plans for the club with the Premier League still to grant his involvement which he believes is a matter of weeks away.
    Sir Jim said: “Early to mid Feb. We hope they don’t find anything dodgy in our CV!
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    “It’s the first match for me since we got here. It’s taken a few turns as you know but these things take some doing.
    “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.”
    Sir Jim has been involved in elite sport with cycling, sailing and with Nice in Ligue 1.
    He said this was undoubtedly the most exciting thing he has been involved in, having first set his eyes on United ‘two or three years ago’.
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    “I have done a few exciting things but this caps it all there is no question about that,” he said.
    He has already had meetings with manager Erik ten Hag but would not expand on what was said.
    He said: “I have met Erik but inappropriate to say anything, until it is all formalised.
    Sir Jim, born just outside of Manchester in Failsworth, is a lifelong United fan but said he has not been to Old Trafford for ‘two or three years’ for a game having first come 60 years ago.
    He named Paul Scholes and Eric Cantona as his favourite players and going forward said he would be a more regular visitor.
    He said: “I can’t come all the time because I have a few other things to manage. But I will come.”
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already met with Red Devils manager Erik ten HagCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd need complete overhaul rather than sports-science tweaks – Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s prospects already look bleak

    PLENTY of very shrewd and wealthy businessmen strode confidently into the ownership of Premier League clubs.Then blundered out again looking considerably less clever and less minted.
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his 25 per cent investment in Manchester United on Christmas EveCredit: PA
    There’s something about football, and the English top flight in particular, which preys on the egos of these men and makes them do stupid things.
    Farhad Moshiri did well in business before he invested in Everton. Likewise Tom Hicks and George Gillett before Liverpool. And the Venky’s family prior to arriving at Blackburn.
    Even The Right Honourable The Lord Sugar of Clapton (I called him Sir Alan once and didn’t get away with it) struggled in charge of Tottenham.
    Which brings us to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who grew up in a council house in Failsworth, Greater Manchester and is now Britain’s second richest man.
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    When Ian Dury sang There Ain’t Half Been Some Clever B*****ds, he was thinking of blokes like Ratcliffe.
    But, already, the desire to own a Premier League club — and despite being a ‘lifelong Manchester United fan’, Ratcliffe did try to buy Chelsea in 2022 — seems to be blurring his judgment.
    Ratcliffe hasn’t officially taken charge of United’s ‘football department’ yet and he may end up being a roaring success.But the prospects are not good.
    It is difficult to imagine Ratcliffe buying a 25 per cent stake in any other business where the largest stakeholders were deeply unpopular failures, presiding over a toxic culture.
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    Yet, while hoping for a complete takeover in the future, that is the deal the Ineos chief  has agreed with the Glazers at United.
    And the very fact that we are talking about United having a ‘football department’ rather than being, you know, a ‘football club’ is a serious problem in itself.
    Even Ratcliffe’s introductory open letter to fans played into this Glazer mindset of United as a business with a football team attached to it.
    Ratcliffe wrote: “I believe we can bring sporting success on the pitch to complement the undoubted  commercial success that the club has enjoyed.”
    This single sentence underlines everything that has gone wrong with United over the past decade — the idea that footballing success is some relatively trivial adjunct to the club’s sponsorship deals, merchandising sales and social-media numbers.
    Challenging for the game’s biggest honours is of secondary importance and they’re not even pretending otherwise.
    Then there’s Ratcliffe’s appointment of former British cycling chief Sir Dave Brailsford as his main man at United.
    I know it can become tedious when ‘proper football men’ say you need ‘proper football men’ running football clubs but a strong knowledge of the inner workings of this most unconventional business is a definite plus point.
    Brailsford has been involved at Ineos-owned French club Nice but his footballing experience is limited.
    And despite enjoying great success in cycling, he is not well regarded by many of his most decorated lycra lads and lasses.
    Sir Dave Brailsford watched Man Utd take on Nottingham Forest alongside Sir Alex Ferguson on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    Some pretty questionable things happened under Brailsford’s watch at British Cycling and Team Sky — an alleged culture of bullying, a mysterious jiffy bag, a ‘win-at-all- costs’ mentality which had negative effects on those working under him.
    Brailsford has always denied any wrongdoing and claims his successes were built on ‘marginal gains’ — the quite reasonable idea that an extra one per cent here and there  can make all the difference.
    But do United need minimal sports-science tweaks?  Or do they need a complete overhaul of an expensive, bloated and imbalanced squad?And a new manager? And a complete refurb of the stadium?
    Nine points adrift of the Champions League places and out of Europe, United will spend the second half of this season in a holding pattern, trying to learn  lessons for next season.
    Just as they did two seasons ago under Ralf Rangnick.
    Ratcliffe and Brailsford say they will ‘look, listen and learn’ during these early days.
    When Brailsford looked at United against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, he will have seen a tactically inept side who couldn’t even hold out for a point after a late Marcus Rashford equaliser — a team which lacks intelligence and leadership as well as talent.
    He will have seen Antony, an £85.5million monument to a shambolic recruitment process — and a player Erik ten Hag managed at Ajax, and recommended to United, despite his vast transfer fee.
    The Dutchman’s fingerprints are all over so much that has gone wrong this season — Bruno  Fernandes as captain, Jadon Sancho frozen out, Rashford a shadow of his former self, Antony a disaster, Andre Onana a liability.
    And when Brailsford listened at the City Ground, he’ll have heard ‘We want Glazers out!’ from the United faithful.
    So why have two successful knights of the realm signed up for this half-baked scheme?
    It’s because successful men often think themselves infallible and invincible.
    But Premier League football frequently finds them out.
    Pressure continues to mount on Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
    ROY STILL SHARP
    THE image of Roy Hodgson as a benign old gent, devoid of ego or spleen, still persists.
    But after Crystal Palace defeated Brentford 3-1 to end an eight-game winless streak, Hodgson was asked whether rumours of his potential sacking had affected him. And his reply was instructive.
    Hodgson seethed: “I tell you what I really think . . . I’m 76 years of age. I’ve been in management for 47 years. I’ve got a CBE for services to football.
    “My answer to you is that it makes no difference to me at all.
    “To suggest that it should is disrespectful.”
    You don’t work in elite-level football for as long as Hodgson without vast self-belief and a sharp tongue. 
    It’s hard not to be impressed by Roy Hodgson’s level of experienceCredit: Getty
    EUR KIDDING?
    THERE’S a myth, spread by killjoys, that qualifying for the Europa League or Conference League is bad news for a club’s domestic form.
    The mongers of doom say: “Ooh you don’t want to be playing Thursday-Sunday.”
    Try telling that to table-topping Liverpool, second-placed Aston Villa, sixth-placed West Ham or Brighton, who would go sixth if they beat the Irons tonight.
    ELITE NEED BREAK
    PLAYERS’ unions are up in arms that elite footballers will soon be asked to play up to 86 matches a year — thanks to the expansion of the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup.
    The fixture list has reached breaking point, with no proper gaps for leading players.
    And it won’t be long before they are allocated four or five weeks’ holiday to take like most other employees.
    Team news updates may soon read as follows: Manchester City are without Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring), John Stones (ankle), Rodri (suspended) and Jack Grealish (annual leave).
    SAUD AND CLEAR
    JUST before Christmas, I noticed all three reports on the back page of this newspaper were filed from either Riyadh or Jeddah, due to the Club World Cup and the Anthony Joshua fight.
    It’s a sign of things to come as the Saudis buy up the rights to everything.
    But at least the staging of these major events in a nation which strictly prohibits alcohol is decent news for the battered livers of Fleet Street’s finest.
    LITTLE BY LITTLER
    OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN was 29 when she played Sandy in Grease, and Henry Winkler 28 when he was first The Fonz in Happy Days, despite both ­of their characters being high-school students.
    But that’s nothing compared to those who run the darts at Ally Pally. They cast 38-year-old Luke Littler as a boy of 16.
    Luke Littler has shocked the world of Darts by earning a spot in the World Championship semi-finals at just 16-years-oldCredit: Rex
    COLE AS A CUCUMBER
    IN the intense heat of a knockout tie at this summer’s Euros – especially if it comes to extra-time or a penalty shootout – Gareth Southgate will need cool heads.
    Read more on The Sun
    And I can’t remember ever seeing a more composed young English footballer than Cole Palmer.
    The Chelsea man must go to Germany. More

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    How Roy Keane earned small fortune from Glazers’ Man Utd takeover thanks to genius contract clause

    ROY KEANE has revealed he made money out of the Glazers buying Manchester United in 2005.The Irishman was the Red Devils captain at the time of the Americans’ takeover.
    Roy Keane profited from the Glazers buying Man Utd in 2005Credit: PA
    The Glazers are selling 25 per cent of the club to Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: AFP
    Malcolm Glazer first invested in Man Utd in 2003, initially buying 2.9 per cent of the club for £9million.
    He gradually increased his stake and in just over two years they had complete control.
    Buying United cost the Glazers £790m and a small portion of the amount went into Keane’s pocket.
    A clause in his contract meant he had shares in the club, which were eventually snapped up by the Glazers.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    Lifting the lid on the takeover 18 years ago, Keane said in his book The Second Half: “From the players’ point of view, it didn’t bother us too much.
    “I had a few shares in the club as part of my contract.
    “So the Glazers coming in was worth a few bob to me.”
    The unpopular owners are now selling 25 per cent of the club to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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    Ineos’ chief has paid £1.03billion for the share and he will be in charge of football operations.
    Ratcliffe’s deal was confirmed on Christmas Eve – but he will not be allowed to get to work until the move is ratified by chiefs.
    The British billionaire has already written to Man Utd supporters and vowed to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
    However, he has called for fans to be “patient” as he tries to fix the club. More

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    Glazers will be forced to pay out huge fee to Sir Jim Ratcliffe if they change mind on Man Utd takeover

    IT was confirmed on Christmas Eve that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to buy 25 per cent of the club had gone through.And pending a fit and proper persons test, that will soon be confirmed – with Ratcliffe soon to become the most important man at the club when it comes to sporting matters.
    Ratcliffe is soon to become the most important man at Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
    The Glazers would now have to pay a hefty fee to terminate the dealCredit: AFP – Getty
    The deal will take an estimated 8 weeks to be fully confirmed.
    But, Richard Jolly in the Independent has revealed that there is still a way that the deal could be cancelled on the Glazers side.
    He revealed that there is a £51.6million clause in the sale of the club which means the Glazers could terminate the process.
    Not only that, but the fee would have to be paid within three business days.
    READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
    In another clause of the contract between the various parties, Ratcliffe has first option to buy if the Glazers, whose stake will be reduced to 49 per cent of the club, are selling more of their shares within a year.
    Interestingly, if the Glazers agree a full sale of the club to someone else, Ratcliffe will be forced to sell his shares at £25.84 each – the price he paid for his shares as part of his minority investment.
    As part of the balancing act, the Glazers willl be unable to sack Erik ten Hag without Ratcliffe’s permission.
    They would also be unable to sack sporting director John Murtough.
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    Ratcliffe will receive a total of four seats on the board at the club.
    Two of these on the sporting side will be delegated to Sir Dave Brailsford and  former Juventus CEO Jean-Claude Blanc.
    On the PLC side, the seats will go to Ineos chief financial officer John Reece and Rob Nevin, the chairman of Ineos Sport.
    Sir Jim will also have the right to decide if dividends are paid to shareholders over the next three years.
    Sir Jim’s stake in United is being purchased through Trawler’s LTD – a reference to Eric Cantona’s infamous speech when his prison sentence for kicking a Crystal Palace fan was overturned. More

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    Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd stake ALREADY set to grow from 25 per cent as terms of deal with Glazers are revealed

    SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S stake in Manchester United is already allegedly set to grow.The 71-year-old British billionaire completed his £1.3bn 25 per cent takeover of the club on Christmas Eve and it is now being signed off.
    Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stake in Man Utd is set to growCredit: Reuters
    He is prepared to pump £237m into the club and is set to have two of his most trusted lieutenants keeping a close eye on goings on at the club next month.
    Ineos’ director of sport Dave Brailsford and CEO Jean-Claude Blanc will head to Carrington tasked with assessing the football operation.
    Brailsford has already made his presence felt as he endured a rollercoaster of emotions at Old Trafford during United’s thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa last night.
    Ratcliffe will be in charge of football operations after purchasing a stake in the club from the Glazer family – who fans are desperate to see the back of.
    READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
    However, his stake is set to grow from the original 25 per cent after terms of deal with Glazers were revealed.
    That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who stated on social media: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s final %, if the completion process goes to plan, will be just over 29%.
    “That’s 25% from the Class B shares (agreed) and Class A tender (ongoing).
    “Then just over 4% from his injection of $300m into the club.”
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    Jacobs also added: “Been the plan for months to take extra shares in return for Ratcliffe’s initial investment.”
    We reported this week how Ratcliffe could cut as many as 300 jobs at United.
    But while that could cause unrest off the pitch, Erik ten Hag’s side brought some much-needed joy on it yesterday.
    The Red Devils came from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Aston Villa 3-2 with a brilliant second half performance.
    Ten Hag’s men fell behind to a never-seen-before free-kick tactic that left both the goalkeeper and defence bamboozled.
    Things got worse when Leander Dendoncker doubled the visitors’ lead.
    But a stirring second half performance saw them bounce back to earn a crucial victory.
    Alejandro Garnacho grabbed a double while Rasmus Hojlund’s first Premier League goal sealed the points late on. More