so, we have been waiting for this for a long time. how much of a surprise as this? i for a long time. how much of a surprise as this? for a long time. how much of a surprise as this? i think that this is the christmas surprise as this? i think that this is the christmas present - surprise as this? i think that this is the christmas present that - surprise as this? i think that this| is the christmas present that lots of manchester united fans would have wanted. you pose the question how big of a surprise. this deal has been potentially 13 months in the making, there have been times we have been told it was imminent, that would happen a week from now, two weeks from now, and it hasn t done so. so perhaps a surprise and not as a prize at the same time. sarahjim ratcliffe, one of the richest men in britain, a boyhood manchester united fan, has acquired a 25% minority share in the club. i think the important part of the statement is that his ineos group will be in charge of fo
here s our sports editor dan roan. when sirjim ratcliffe toured old trafford earlier this year, the british billionaire was hoping to buy manchester united. instead, he ll become a minority shareholder of the club he says he s always supported. the founder of petrochemicals giant ineos, ratcliffe s already invested in sailing and cycling teams and owns a third of mercedes in formula 1. the owner of two football clubs, including nice in france, manchester born ratcliffe last year failed in a bid to buy chelsea, some would argue you should be trying to buy the club that you grew up supporting. yes, i mean, i can understand that but manchester united s not for sale. with its rich history. they were supreme soccer champions of europe. legendary players. ca nto na! and dominance under managerial great sir alex ferguson, united became a commercial powerhouse with a global fan base. but since 2005 been owned by the glazer family and after years of protests by fans unhappy with the c
it s hoped by many supporters that it might mean the end of the controlling interest of the glazer family. our sports editor dan roan reports. when sirjim ratcliffe toured old trafford earlier this year, the british billionaire was hoping to buy manchester united. instead he will become a minority shareholder of the club he says he has always supported. the founder of petrochemicals giant ineos, ratcliffe has already invested in sailing and cycling teams and owns a third of mercedes in formula 1. the owner of two football clubs, including nice in france, manchester born ratcliffe last year failed in a bid to buy chelsea, at the time hinting to me united was his real goal. some would argue you should be trying to buy the club that you grew up supporting. yes, i mean, i can understand that but manchester united is not for sale. with its rich history. they were the soccer champions of europe. ..legendary players. cantona! ..and dominance under the managerial great sir alex fergu
in a deal worth more than a billion pounds which, pending approval will see him take control of football operations. he is also promising over £200 million of new investment. the multi billionaire founder of the ineos petro chemicals group, is a lifelong fan of the club. it s hoped by many supporters that it might mean the end of the controlling interest of the glazer family. our sports editor, dan roan, reports. when sirjim ratcliffe toured old trafford earlier this year, the british billionaire was hoping to buy manchester united. instead, he ll become a minority shareholder of the club he says he s always supported. the founder of petrochemicals giant ineos, ratcliffe s already invested in sailing and cycling teams and owns a third of mercedes in formula 1. the owner of two football clubs, including nice in france, manchester born ratcliffe last year failed in a bid to buy chelsea, at the time hinting to me that united was his real goal. some would argue you should be