Jim Ratcliffe: Ineos billionaire 'definitely a potential buyer' of Manchester United

A spokesman for British businessman Jim Ratcliffe said the Ineos petrochemicals billionaire is "definitely a potential buyer" of Manchester United if the English football giants are put up for sale by the Glazer family.

Ineos was responding to reports United's current owners are considering selling a minority stake in the club.

The Ineos spokesman told The Times that Ratcliffe, reportedly Britain's richest man with an estimated net worth of $13 billion, would be prepared to buy a stake as a prelude to assuming full control at Old Trafford.

"If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership," the spokesman said.

The Glazers, who bought United in 2005 in a leveraged buyout that saddled the club with a mountains of debt, have long been accused of taking more out financially than they have invested in terms of transfer funds or in redeveloping the club's crumbling Old Trafford ground.

They further angered United fans by backing the failed European Super League project in April last year which would have led to the club joining a breakaway competition.

Last year, British newspaper The Daily Mirror reported that the Glazers were prepared to sell the club but only if they were offered in excess of £4 billion.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the 4-0 Premier League defeat at Brentford on August 13, 2022. PA

The record 20-time English champions have got the new campaign off to a disastrous start under new manager Erik ten Hag. An opening day 2-1 loss at home to Brighton & Hove Albion was followed by an embarrassing 4-0 defeat away to Brentford last weekend to leave them bottom of the Premier League. United last won the Premier League in 2013 and have not