OVER the next five months, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will hope he can achieve a sporting Mission: Impossible.
No, not turn Manchester United around but make history by sealing America’s Cup glory with a British team.
Since the New York Yacht Club came to the Isle of Wight to snap up the first official cup in 1851, Britannia has never ruled the waves.
But four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, 47, has been tasked with changing that with a boat bankrolled by Sir Jim’s company Ineos.
Emirates Team New Zealand will defend the pot in Barcelona in October against a challenger that comes through qualifying competitions.
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And according to Ainslie, United co-owner Ratcliffe, 71, has zero tolerance for “bulls**t”.
Ainslie said: “Jim absolutely fundamentally shares the vision. He shares that passion for sport.
“We have seen that with the other ventures that Ineos have gone into.
“This challenge, it’s one of the biggest you can take on, certainly in sport. A team like New Zealand, who are the holders, are really comparative to the All Blacks in terms of their history.
“Taking them on in the America’s Cup — I don’t think there are any other tougher challenges.
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“Jim loves that, he shares that. He wants to get the job done.”
As for righting the ship at Old Trafford, Ainslie said: “Can Jim be successful at United? I think he will. He’s a very determined individual.
“It won’t happen overnight.”
Ainslie won the 2013 America’s Cup as a tactician with Oracle Team USA but this year’s target, which kick-starts in August, is personal.
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The Cheshire-born sailor said: “It’s an obsession.
“Clearly the history, having never won it, that’s the big motivation for everyone in our team.
“It’s the only international major sporting trophy we have never won.
“In terms of our proud maritime and sporting heritage, we have got to tick that box.
“The country needs a bit of a perk! And why not the America’s Cup?
“On the back of England winning the Euros, of course.”
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