Patrick Vieira recalls working for Manchester United takeover hopeful Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Nice

Patrick Vieira has opened up about working under Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Nice as the British billionaire aims to become Manchester United's new owner.

Ratcliffe, who submitted an official offer to buy United back in February, is one of the leading contenders to purchase the club, with the INEOS chief going head-to-head with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. The deadline for closing bids is Friday (April 28) and both parties are expected to submit fresh bids for United.

The prospect of Ratcliffe becoming the Reds' new owner has concerned some supporters, especially after reports claimed the British billionaire was offering a way for the Glazer family to remain involved with the club. However, former Crystal Palace manager Vieira was full of praise for the 70-year-old.

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The Frenchman, who was sacked by the Eagles last month, worked under Ratcliffe at French side Nice. Vieira was in charge when the INEOS CEO took over in July 2019 and spent 18 months with the club before being dismissed. Despite this, he was positive in his assessment of United's prospective new owner.

"He’d never interfere with my work," Vieira told FourFourTwo. "We’d talk about football when we met, about the team and our lives, but he’s not an owner who will get involved too much and prevent the manager from doing his job.

"His ambitions and expectations are high, so you know where you stand, but you can do your job freely."

Vieira took charge of 74 matches as Palace boss following his stint with Nice, but he was sacked by the London outfit after failing to win a match in 2022.

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