Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed the “first person” he met alongside Sir Dave Brailsford after the Ineos chief confirmed his minority stake purchase in Manchester United.
Manchester United confirmed on Christmas Eve in 2023 that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who was a boyhood Red Devils supporter, would complete a partial takeover of the club.
Following the initial announcement – after months of speculation – the Football Association (FA) and the Premier League approved Ratcliffe’s deal in February.
Ratcliffe’s offer was believed to be worth around £1.03bn ($1.3bn), with the intention to buy a 25 per cent stake in the Premier League club.
It is now believed that the 71-year-old British billionaire owns a 27.7 per cent stake in the Red Devils after he officially became a co-owner of United.
As part of Ratcliffe’s deal, Ineos will be at the helm of football operations at Old Trafford, with Sir David Brailsford a key figure in Ratcliffe’s regime at United.
Brailsford is currently director of sport at Ineos and has worked behind the scenes at French side Nice, which is owned by Ratcliffe’s organisation.
Ratcliffe and Brailsford meet Man Utd legend
Since his intention to buy a stake in Manchester United, both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford visited the club’s Carrington training complex and met with players.
Ratcliffe and Brailsford have also had an audience with United boss Erik ten Hag, whose future at Old Trafford is shrouded in mystery after the Ineos chief’s purchase.
Ratcliffe has now revealed that he and Brailsford both visited United legend Sir Alex Ferguson at his home after their stake in the club was signed.
The United co-owner revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson, who is considered one of the best managers of all time, was “very thoughtful” about the club.
Speaking on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast, Ratcliffe said: “I had dinner with him the first time I met seven or eight years ago, the League Managers’ Association dinner.
“He was the first person I went to see [when the takeover was signed]. We signed a deal on Christmas Eve at 4pm after about one-and-a-half years of trying!
“We went up to Manchester on about January 2nd and Sir Alex was the first person [that] Dave [Brailsford] and I went to see at his home.
“We were there from about 9-10am but left at 1pm. He’s very thoughtful about the club is Alex.
“You have to pinch yourselves occasionally. Alex takes his time with people but we have a very engaging conversation. I enjoy his company, he’s good company, and he’s very thoughtful about the club.”
Ratcliffe and Man Utd legend Ferguson
Ferguson has remained an ever-present figure at Old Trafford after he called it time on his legendary managerial career at United in 2013.
The 82-year-old iconic Scotsman was spotted alongside Ratcliffe in the Old Trafford stand for the Red Devils’ 2-2 Premier League draw with Tottenham in January.
Ratcliffe was also alongside former United manager Ferguson at Old Trafford in February to mark the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
The United co-owner has spoken highly of Ferguson in the past, saying that he is an “essential part” of the Premier League club’s longstanding history.
“I’ve met Sir Alex, two or three times since Christmas. And I knew him a little bit anyway,” Ratcliffe told Manchester United’s official website in February.
“I mean, he’s the world’s [most] iconic coach, and he’s just an essential part of that Manchester United history.
“I mean, he has made history for Manchester United in those 27 years he was there really. And, you know, he was the greatest manager of his generation.”