'A billionaire at the gates' - US media react to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United arrival

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is close to finalising the purchase of a 25% stake in Manchester United from the Glazers.

The 71-year-old will take control of the footballing operations at Old Trafford once his arrival is confirmed with items such as player transfers and improvements to facilities likely to be high on the agenda. CEO Richard Arnold announced his intentions to leave his post on Wednesday, with a senior staffing rebuild expected under Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe - a lifelong United fan - has fought off stiff competition from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim to buy a stake in the club, with the Glazer family still in control with a majority 75% holding. Back in their homeland, outlets across the United States have covered the news.

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Daniel Hellier, Bloomberg

"A billionaire arriving at the gates of Manchester United with a sack full of cash to spend promises very different things, depending on whether you’re backing the shirt or the shares.

"It's been roughly a month since we broke the news that Jim Ratcliffe was leading the race to invest in the English football giant. As the chemicals bigwig inches closer to a deal for 25% of Manchester United, both fans and investors are waiting on details of the transaction that will refresh ownership of the club for the first time in almost two decades.

"Manchester United’s supporters would certainly have preferred the club’s owners, the US Glazer family, to sell outright to deep-pocketed Qataris. They now want Ratcliffe to save as much of his money to invest in players to improve on-pitch fortunes. They also expect more than a lick of paint at the club’s