British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe agrees deal to buy 25% stake in Manchester United

LONDON: British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has agreed on a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United for about US$1.3 billion, vowing to return the Premier League club to the "top of world football".

United also announced in a statement on Sunday (Dec 24) that Ratcliffe's INEOS company would take control of football operations after years of under-achievement under the Glazer family.

The 71-year-old chairman of the global chemicals giant will provide substantial funds for future investment in the club's outdated Old Trafford stadium.

It brings to an end a lengthy saga that began 13 months ago when United's unpopular US owners said they were considering "strategic alternatives" to help the club grow.

The American family bought the club for £790 million (US$1.47 billion at the time) in 2005, loading the 20-time English champions with debt.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ratcliffe made offers in the region of £5 billion for a complete takeover, but that fell short of the Glazer family's valuation.

Sheikh Jassim withdrew his bid to buy 100 per cent of the club in October while Ratcliffe continued to pursue a minority shareholding.

"The joint ambition is to create a world-class football operation building on the club's many existing strengths, including the successful off-pitch performance that it continues to enjoy," United said in their statement on Christmas Eve.

Ratcliffe, who tried to buy Chelsea last year, grew up in the Manchester region and describes himself as a committed fan.

"As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the