After almost a full year of uncertainty, British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly set to finalise his purchase 25% stake in Manchester United Football Club, and there are already some serious rumblings about big names he might be bringing on board.
While full confirmation of the purchase is yet to be verified, Sky News is reporting that after months of talks between Man United and Ratcliffe’s INEOS group, the Failsworth-born businessman and the current Glazer ownership are soon to agree on a $33-a-share deal.
It said that Sir Jim and his INEOS Sports arm plan to acquire 25% of both the listed A-shares and the B-shares, which carry greater voting rights on the board and, at present, are held exclusively by the Glazer family
Although this partial purchase will obviously see the Glazers still firmly intertwined with the club, the majority of fans will no doubt be pleased to hear that there is finally some movement and relinquishing of control after 18 years of unrest.
BREAKING: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS Sports could announce a deal to buy their 25% of Manchester United today 🚨 pic.twitter.com/eIgLzAakuJ
Ratcliffe’s stake in United could be confirmed any day now.
Sources have claimed that the current owners are keen to complete the deal before the Thanksgiving holiday with some of those close to the deal suggesting that it could be wrapped up as soon as Monday, 20 November with a provisional announcement even more imminent.
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition to the estimated $1 billion the petrochemical tycoon will be spending to acquire his stake in the club, it is thought that he will also be setting aside roughly £245m to improve the club’s infrastructure — updating Old Trafford being a top priority.
Former frontrunner in the potential United takeover, Shiekh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, also promised to redevelop the stadium as well as huge investments in the squad and training complexes, all whilst wiping the club’s debt.
ADVERTISEMENT
Although Ratcliffe’s initial outlay won’t come anywhere near the Qatari royal’s state-funded vision for the club, having walked away from the deal after failing to meet the Glazers’ ever-changing asking price, the 71-year-old has insisted the purchase of shares will be with his own money and that he will not add any more to United’s current borrowings (roughly £969.6m back in March).
Moreover, perhaps one of the most interesting parts about Ratcliffe’s prospective share purchase is the names that are already being linked with the club should the deal go through.
After CEO Richard Arnold left the club earlier this week, with general counsel Patrick Stewart (not that one) stepping in as interim as they search for a full-time replacement, there is now lots of talk about further shake-ups amongst the board.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to The Telegraph, not only is Sir Alex Ferguson set to consult and help guide Sir Jim during his overhaul of the club but names that have been floated as a potential new sporting director include Spurs’ former head of recruitment Paul Mitchell and, believe it or not, football legend Paolo Maldini.
Only time will tell whether there’s any real substance in Maldini’s consideration or whether he’s simply on United’s list but despite being sacked from his role at AC Milan back in June, it would still be a big name with some serious pedigree to help kick off Ratcliffe’s impending era.
While Freedman is thought to be admired by Sir Alex Ferguson, it is understood that Atalanta’s Lee Congerton, former AC Milan pair Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta are also under consideration.
2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity
Danny Jones
Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.
This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.
As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.
Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.
The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.
Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie.
Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.
Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.
The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.
Together you have raised over £3.7 million for charitable causes, adding even more meaning to those 26.2 miles 💕 Well done and thank you to all those who fundraised and donated! 🌟Tag us in those charity top pictures from last weekend 😍😍#ManchesterMarathonpic.twitter.com/5gsi6NtFzB
This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.
This was a 20% increaseon 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.
With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons.
Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group
Sport
‘Enough is enough’: Marcus Rashford calls out fans for ‘months’ of abuse
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has put his foot down in a social media post, calling for an end to ‘months of abuse’ from both his own supporters and beyond.
It’s fair to say that the 26-year-old hasn’t been enjoying his best season in a United shirt and while he has had his moments this year – his goal against Arsenal and stunning opener in the Manchester derby, just to name a couple – he’s come under a lot of pressure from supporters.
Rashford previously came out to address the situation in a Players Tribune interview back in February, stating, “I can’t have people questioning my commitment to Man United”, but now the England international has reiterated the point after someone came to his defence on X.
Quoting a fan who wrote that “the way Marcus Rashford is being treated is absolutely disgusting”, calling the behaviour online and on matchdays in some cases as “cruel” and downright abuse”, he responded by declaring: “Enough is enough”.
I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough https://t.co/MUfiU0JwEb
The Wythenshawe winger has already labelled doubts over his effort levels, love and loyalty to the club “ridiculous”, reiterating time and time again that he’s a boyhood Red, but that hasn’t stopped people continuing to criticise him online.
Sadly, while he’s also insisted that he “can take criticism” and headlines when his performances aren’t quite up to scratch, the negativity hasn’t just been limited to social media and has been spilling out into the matchday stands.
Reports of Rashford being booed off the pitch by his own supporters at Wembley during United’s admittedly chaotic performance against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final were confirmed by multiple sources at the time.
Although he didn’t comment on the response from the travelling Reds at the time, it’s now clear he was abundantly aware of the frosty reception as he was substituted, with many within the fan base and beyond calling the decision to boo your own players “classless” and “shameful”.
We were in the west press box (among Coventry fans) so amid the din after the equaliser and anticipation of ET, the booing of Rashford wasn't as audible as on TV. Relationship between player and matchgoers is broken. In the interests of all parties he goes in the summer. #mufc
Fans play a part in performances! Especially with social media, you can say players shouldn’t be on twitter or whatever but that’s not the point. How could rashford possibly perform when half the fanbase is calling him THE problem???
With seven goals and five assists to his name across all competitions this season, it’s fair to say Marcus Rashford has been a far cry away from the heights he has managed to hit in recent years.
It was only last season that he hit a career-high record of 40 goal contributions, sitting as one of the most prolific players in all of Europe during another difficult season for the club, even managing to surpass club legend Andy Cole’s record.
Just goes to show how short people’s memories can really be – especially when it comes to football – and Erik ten Hag has already urged patience from his fans when it comes to his players, and not just his number ten.
‘The Beautiful Game’ is and always will be a fickle sport but it’s worth reminding of just how much the academy product has already delivered during his time at Man United. Anyone can have a tough season.
Danny Jones -
17th November 2023 
