Jim Ratcliffe could have major say in Man United if he buys minority stake in club

Billionaire Ratcliffe bids to buy 25% stake in Man Utd, run football ops. Glazers remain in control, but Ratcliffe could improve team performance. He's worth $15.1B, owns Nice, cycling team, 1/3 of F1 team & sailing team. Fans have long-protested Glazers, but Ratcliffe could ease tension if success follows. Risk of being blamed if decline continues.

If British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is successful in his attempt to buy a minority stake in Manchester United, he could end up with a major say in the running of the underperforming club.

The owner of petrochemicals giant Ineos is ready to invest in the storied English football club after rival Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar said over the weekend he was withdrawing from the bidding process.

Ratcliffe is trying to buy a 25% share of United and also wants to run football operations, a person with knowledge of the proposal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.

United's American owners, the Glazer family, in November announced plans to seek outside investment that could have resulted in the sale of the 20-time English league champions.

Ratcliffe initially bid for the family's controlling stake of about 69%, while Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim wanted 100% of the club.

With the process dragging on beyond an expected completion date of June, Ratcliffe has adjusted his offer and that could pave the way to him becoming a co-owner of the club he has supported since he was a child.