Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to buy 25% stake in Man United - sources - ESPN

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is close to acquiring a significant stake in Manchester United which would see his INEOS team have «sporting influence» at Old Trafford, sources have told ESPN.

A source with knowledge of the process has told ESPN that Ratcliffe was «more savvy in his deal execution» than rival bidder Sheikh Jassim, a Qatari billionaire who withdrew his interest in buying United on Saturday after failing to negotiate a full takeover of the club from their American owners, the Glazer family.

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Sheikh Jassim's exit from the race to buy the 20-time English champions has paved the way for Ratcliffe, the founder of chemicals company INEOS, to seal a deal to acquire a 25% shareholding from the Glazers, who own 69% of the club. The remaining shares are owned by smaller investors on the New York Stock Exchange.

As part of the deal, Ratcliffe, 70, is willing to pay an inflated price in exchange for control over certain decision-making, which would not usually be guaranteed by a minority investment.

Ratcliffe, according to a source, is willing to pay between £1.3 billion ($1.576bn) and £1.5bn for the stake despite United's current market value sitting at around £2.6bn.

The agreement, which could be signed off as early as this week, would ensure that the Glazers retain a majority stake.

It is likely to antagonise a large section of United supporters who were eager for the family, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to commit to a full sale.

However, sources have told ESPN that the Ratcliffe share purchase would be the first step in a proposal to eventually take full control of the club.

Ratcliffe, who also owns French club Nice and Swiss team Lausanne-Sport,