Manchester United have confirmed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed the purchase of a 25% stake in the club.
The announcement of Ratcliffe’s acquisition brings an end to a year-long saga in which the United-owning Glazer family sought outside investment.
Ratcliffe emerged as one of the leading final bidders to secure investment along with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. However, Sheikh Jassim’s bid to purchase a full 100% stake in United for £5bn – plus an extra £1bn to help wipe the club’s debts – fell short of the Glazers’ significantly higher asking price of up to £10bn.