English FA approve Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of 25% stake in Manchester United

The English Football Association has approved Sir Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Premier League club Manchester United.

British billionaire Ratcliffe's investment, which will give him control of football operations at the 20-time English champions, received the backing of the Premier League on Monday evening.

And now the FA have now also given the green light to the bid, which means Ratcliffe edges closer to sealing his place in the Old Trafford boardroom.

Within an amended tender offer statement published on Wednesday afternoon came confirmation that the national governing body's approval "has already been obtained".

The green light from the FA is one of the last remaining steps but the deal cannot be completed until the tender offer for Class A shares is finalised.

The period in which holders of Class A shares can tender them for sale has been extended from February 14 until 23.59pm on February 16.

"The Premier League now awaits confirmation of the transaction's completion," the league said in a statement, while confirming Ratcliffe has also signed its owners' charter.

Ratcliffe, who is the owner of petrochemicals giant Ineos, has paid $1.3 billion for “up to 25 per cent” of the club and will invest a further $300 million for “future investment into Old Trafford,” United have said.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's purchase of a 25% stake in Manchester United has been approved by the FA