A new move from the Glazer family could open up an opportunity for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to take another step on his journey to fully own Manchester United.
The future of Manchester United’s ownership has once again become a hot topic as several members of the Glazer family are reportedly considering selling their shares in the club.
According to Bloomberg, internal discussions have taken place recently. Some members appear ready to divest and are trying to convince the rest to join them. Although no final decision has been made, this news immediately caught the attention of MU fans, who have spent years calling for the Glazers to leave Old Trafford. If that scenario unfolds, the person who stands to benefit the most is Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The British billionaire currently holds about 29% of MU’s shares following a £1.2 billion deal completed in late 2023. Since taking over football operations, Ratcliffe and the INEOS group have continuously accelerated investments, from upgrading the Carrington training center to building a long-term development plan for the club.
More importantly, the agreement between Ratcliffe and the Glazer family is said to contain a special clause. According to revelations from Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan, if any member of the Glazer family wishes to sell their shares, they must offer the right of first refusal to Ratcliffe. This means Ratcliffe has the right to increase his ownership stake without directly competing with outside investors.
In reality, the 73-year-old billionaire’s goal has never stopped at being a minority shareholder. When entering the race to buy MU in 2023, Ratcliffe previously made an offer to purchase the Glazer family’s entire stake. However, the two sides ultimately only reached an agreement allowing him to take over football operations, while the club’s ownership remained largely in the hands of the American family.
Large-scale projects like the plan to build a 100,000-seat stadium or the “Project 150” strategy show that INEOS is preparing for a long journey at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, MU fans probably shouldn’t expect a complete change of ownership in the near future. The Glazer family has historically rejected buyout offers multiple times. Even if a few members decide to sell their shares, it is highly likely just a step to help Ratcliffe gain more control rather than paving the way for a full takeover. But for supporters who are utterly exhausted by the Glazer era, any decline in this family’s power is viewed as a positive signal for the future of Manchester United.
