Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already done what Glazer family haven't during 18 years at Manchester United

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already done something the Glazers refuse to do: communicate with Manchester United fans.

After 13 months of protracted takeover talks, the confirmation of Ratcliffe's acquisition of a minority stake at Old Trafford came on Christmas Eve and it was the perfect present for supporters.

Ratcliffe has paid around £1.25 billion to invest in the club and INEOS will be delegated responsibility for the management of football operations across the men’s, women’s, and academy teams.

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The 71-year-old wants to employ some of the industry's leading brains in boardroom roles and making sensible decisions - along with spending wisely in the transfer market - will give United the best chance of success.

A brighter future should lie ahead, but there have been mixed feelings among supporters at the announcement because some are concerned about an ongoing role for the Glazers.

Those concerns were relayed by the Manchester United Supporters Trust and, to his credit, Ratcliffe responded by writing a letter and it's claimed he wrote it himself with no help from his communications team.

"I wanted to write to you at this time given the critical role of the fans to the future of Manchester United as we recognise our responsibility as custodians of the club on your behalf," Ratcliffe wrote.

"I believe we can bring sporting success on the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success the club has enjoyed.

"It will require time and patience alongside rigour and the highest level of professional management. You are ambitious for Manchester United and so are we.

"There are no guarantees in sport and