Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to watch Manchester United for the first time since finalising a deal to buy 25 per cent of the club when Erik Ten Hag‘s side welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Sunday.
The billionaire Ineos founder spent three days at the club meeting staff at all levels last week, including hours of talks with Ten Hag, but has yet to attend a match since his £1.3billion investment was confirmed on Christmas Eve.
Ineos’ director of Sport Sir Dave Brailsford has attended all three United games since the announcement including last night’s FA Cup third-round win over Wigan and will be joined by his boss at Old Trafford this weekend.
Ineos chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc was also at the DW Stadium after attending United’s thrilling 3-2 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Ratcliffe will gain control of United’s football operations after his investment is ratified by the Premier League in the next few weeks, and will be a far more visible presence at the club than the majority owners, the Glazer family.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to watch Manchester United for the first time on Sunday afternoon
He’ll watch as Erik ten Hag’s side welcome Spurs to Old Trafford for their Premier League clash
The billionaire Ineos founder spent three days at the club meeting staff at all levels last week
Avram Glazer has not been to a United game since last February’s Carabao Cup final, while Joel has not visited since the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Barcelona five years ago
The 61-year-old is a lifelong United fan and was at the Nou Camp when Sir Alex Ferguson‘s side won the Treble in unforgettable circumstances against Bayern Munich in 1999.
Ratcliffe has been talking to senior United staff regularly and is expected to attend games on a frequent basis, with Brailsford planning to be at most matches.
Avram Glazer in contrast has not been to a United game since last February’s Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle at Wembley, while brother Joel has not visited Old Trafford since the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Barcelona almost five years ago.
United declined to comment on Ratcliffe’s personal schedule.