Man Utd Fans Seek Clarity As Ratcliffe Eyes Minority Stake

A leading Manchester United fans' group called on Sunday for clarity on the future of the English giants amid speculation British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is set to take a minority stake in the club. United's owners, the American Glazer family, announced nearly a year ago that they were exploring "strategic alternatives to enhance the club's growth", with a full sale one of the options. Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani withdrew his attempt to buy the 20-time English champions, a source close to the bid told AFP on Saturday.

Ratcliffe was the other frontrunner during several rounds of bidding, but no offer has yet met the GBP 6 billion ($7.2 billion) valuation put on the club by the Glazers.

Founder of petrochemicals giant Ineos, Ratcliffe will now settle for a 25 percent stake for around GBP 1.3 billion the BBC said on Sunday.

Ineos will reportedly seek to take control of the sporting side of United's business in return for its investment.

The Glazers have been unpopular with supporters ever since a leveraged takeover in 2005 for GBP 790 million saddled the club with huge debts.

"It would be wildly optimistic to think the Glazers are acting in the interests of supporters or are making ownership decisions which don't centre on their own priorities," the Manchester United Supporters Trust said in a statement.

"However, what supporters should expect at the very least now is some clarity and an end to this process.

"Furthermore the outcome must include new investment into the club. It cannot be solely about the interests of shareholders, whether existing or new.

"We call upon all parties to put Manchester United interests before their own interests."

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Former United captain Gary