Manchester United are set to appoint a new leadership committee as part of the deal that will see INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe become a minority owner, 90min understands
With Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim withdrawing his full takeover bid, Ratcliffe has been able to agree a deal with the Glazer family to acquire a smaller share of the club. It will see the British billionaire come on board but also allows the Glazers, who first issued a statement confirming a willingness to consider ‘strategic alternatives’ last November, to remain in charge for at least the time being.
Ratcliffe’s longer-term ambition remains a full takeover in the future, with his staggered approach valuing United higher overall than Sheikh Jassim’s £5bn offer. Ultimately, the Qatari bid fell short of the Glazers’ valuation of the club, which ranges from in excess of £6bn to potentially up to £10bn.
90min understands that a three-person committee of Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Joel Glazer will oversee the immediate changes at United as the club evolves with the new input. It is not expected to be a very formal arrangement, but will sit at a level higher than chief executive Richard Arnold, who continues to run the business side, and a yet to be decided sporting director.
The committee could also be expanded or disbanded in the future depending on how things go.
Joel Glazer is United co-chairman, sharing the title with brother Avram, and is the family member who currently has the most involvement. Ratcliffe, it is well established, grew up a United fan and is commonly been dubbed ‘Britain’s richest man’ after making his fortune in chemicals.
Meanwhile, Brailsford, although widely known for his work in elite cycling, has been director of sport for INEOS since 2021 and had been playing an active at the company’s Ligue 1 club, OGC Nice. The 59-year-old was performance director for British cycling between 1997 and 2014, overseeing 16 Olympic gold medals across the 2012 and 2016 games, plus regular World Championship success.
In 2010, Brailsford, famed for his ‘marginal gains philosophy’ also began managing professional cycling outfit Team Sky, which became the Ineos Grenadiers in 2019 after Ratcliffe’s firm took over sponsorship. Altogether, the team has had seven Tour de France winners since 2012.
Brailsford’s involvement follows on from what 90min reported earlier this week with regard to Ratcliffe leaning on sporting expertise he is already familiar with. That could also include the Mercedes Formula One team, which INEOS owns an equal third of, while noted talent scout and recruiter Paul Mitchell is once again on the club’s radar to enhance sporting operations.
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