Sir Jim Ratcliffe company to keep partnership with Man Utd rivals despite deal

17 October 2023 , 14:05

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe company to keep partnership with Man Utd rivals despite deal

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in Manchester United is set to be confirmed later this week but the British billionaire will retain a partnership with another Premier League club.

Ratcliffe is expected to agree a deal for a minority 25 percent stake at Old Trafford after Sheikh Jassim pulled out of the running after months of negotiations.

United are set to be the front of the INEOS sporting portfolio that is headed by CEO Ratcliffe and already includes Ligue 1 side Nice and Swiss outfit FC Lausanne-Sport, alongside deals in cycling, rugby and F1.

Tottenham first partnered INEOS in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic while a further deal was announced in December last year. The petrochemicals firm's branding has also featured at the club's stadium in recent months, including on seats in the dugouts.

Upon agreeing the deal, Tottenham chief Todd Kline said: "Our partnership with INEOS Grenadier represents the coming together of an innovative British brand with an iconic London football club – both of whom are committed to pushing boundaries and daring to do things differently."

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The Telegraph reports there are no plans for that multi-year sponsorship to be scrapped as it is a 'relatively minor' agreement in comparison to the Old Trafford investment.

Ratcliffe is expected to be given control over football operations at Old Trafford once his deal is agreed and that has raised questions over the futures of John Murtough and Richard Arnold.

Boss Erik ten Hag is not believed to be under any imminent pressure though and he is said to welcome the impending investment after off-field issues in recent months.

There are now suggestions that Sheikh Jassim could switch his focus to another Premier League club after pulling out of the takeover running. It is believed his bid for 100 percent of United did not meet the Glazers' valuation.

The Daily Mail claims he is "very, very disappointed and angered at how this has played out", having put aside around $8bn (£6.57bn) to buy the club.

Liam Prenderville