Manchester United fan vandalises Sir Jim Ratcliffe billboard with clear takeover message

A Manchester United fan has graffitied a billboard welcoming Sir Jim Ratcliffe to the city.

The billboard was spotted outside Old Trafford last week of Sir Jim with his arms outstretched bearing the message, 'Welcome to Manchester'. In 2009, Manchester City famously displayed a billboard announcing the signing of Carlos Tevez from rivals United with a similar design and slogan.

The billionaire INEOS owner is imminently set to acquire a 25 per cent stake in United - and the deal could finally be announced in the coming weeks. Sir Jim's arrival will signal an end to a protracted takeover process for the Reds, following the Glazers' announcement to 'seek strategic alternatives' in November 2022.

READ MORE: 'He shouldn't be there' - Graeme Souness identifies player Man United should let go

READ MORE: Gary Lineker names 'unacceptable' thing Erik ten Hag has done at Manchester United

Sir Jim quickly became one of two leading contenders to take over at Old Trafford, with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani also submitting an offer for a full takeover.

But after Sheikh Jassim dramatically pulled out of the running in October, Sir Jim has been left with a clear run at the club and is expected to take control of sporting matters once his deal to take a 25 per cent stake in the club is finalised - even though it would see the Glazers remaining. That fact has irked some supporters who would much prefer to see the unpopular American family depart after a controversial 18 years at the club.

And now one fan has taken that frustration to the billboard of Sir Jim outside Old Trafford, writing 'full sale only' on it.

It is expected that the INEOS arrival will see a raft of changes made at United as part of a strategic