JAKARTA - After the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, reportedly bought Manchester United, now one more name has emerged that is predicted to be the new owner of the English Premier League club.
Some media said, British businessman, Jim Ratcliffe, became the strongest candidate to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family. However, with a note if indeed Erik ten Hag's club was really sold.
Reportedly, the Glazer family is considering the option of releasing Manchester United. This choice emerged after getting pressure from fans and seeing the club's unimpressive performance at the start of the 2022/2023 Premier League season.
Ratcliffe's Ineos company immediately responded to the report. A spokesman for Ineos told The Times that Ratcliffe, the richest man in England, was ready to buy the stake as a prelude to fully controlling the Old Trafford club.
"If something like this were possible, we would be interested in talking about long-term ownership goals," a spokesperson for Ineos said.
The Glazers, who bought United in 2005 on debt, have long been accused of making far more profits than they invested, including in player transfers.
They further angered United fans after backing a controversial European Super League project in April last year.
"It's not about money being spent or not being spent," the spokesperson told The Times.
"Jim is studying what can be done at the moment and, he knows how important this club is to the city, it feels like the time is right to reorganize."
Ratcliffe is known as a big United fan. However, he recently failed to acquire Chelsea last May due to a loss to a consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly.
Ineos already owns French Ligue 1 football club Nice, Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport, cycling team Team Sky, and also sponsors Mercedes which became Formula 1 constructors' world champions.
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