Ratcliffe outlines plans for success and glamour at Manchester United

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has set out his vision for bringing some of the Eric Cantona glamour and swagger back to Old Trafford.

The 71-year-old Ineos founder and chairman wants the club he has supported since the age of six to be seriously challenging their “noisy” north-west neighbours Manchester City and Liverpool for domestic and European titles within three seasons, and “knock them both off their perch”.

In a wide-ranging briefing, Ratcliffe also outlined his hope to either redevelop Old Trafford at a cost of around £1 billion, or build a new £2 billion stadium with state support that could host England matches, FA Cup finals and Champions League finals.

Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed his 27.7% acquisition of the club, following approval of all conditions, including the FA and the Premier League.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 20, 2024

He also admitted Dan Ashworth would be “a very good addition” to the Manchester United leadership as sporting director, and said it would be “absurd” if he remained on gardening leave after his departure from Newcastle.

Ratcliffe added that a fresh decision would be taken on Mason Greenwood’s future.

On a lighter note, he also joked about whether Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim, his long-time rival for full control of United, even existed.

Ratcliffe, who by the end of the year will hold a 28.9 per cent stake in United and whose Ineos company now controls football operations at Old Trafford, conducted the interview with a bust wearing a United number seven shirt stationed behind him, collar turned up in the fashion of the club’s hero of the 1990s Eric Cantona.

“(Cantona) was the catalyst for change in Sir