Should Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the potential new owner of Manchester United, successfully acquire a part of the Premier League club, he has some grand designs for Old Trafford.
As the INEOS CEO appears to have outpaced the Qataris, led by Sheikh Jassim, who withdrew their bid after failing to secure complete control of the Manchester club, Ratcliffe’s approach involves obtaining a minority stake in Man United with an eye toward full control in the future.
His proposed purchase of a 25% stake in the Premier League club for £1.3 billion was anticipated to be confirmed during Thursday’s board meeting, but the decision from the club’s leadership has been temporarily postponed.
According to Sky Sports, Ratcliffe and his team will take over footballing operations at United. Moreover, The Times reports that Ratcliffe and INEOS are envisioning an ambitious expansion of Old Trafford to transform it into a 90,000-seat stadium, an increase of nearly 15,000 seats from its current capacity.
This bold plan would be a game-changer for Manchester United, boosting matchday revenue while turning Old Trafford into a modern facility capable of hosting concerts and events.
Currently, music artists often prefer Man City’s Etihad Stadium due to its superior facilities, despite its lower capacity. But if Ratcliffe’s vision becomes a reality, the balance could shift, with Old Trafford becoming a preferred venue for such events.