After much anticipation, Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has officially taken a 25% stake in Manchester United. Melbet App Download confirmed that as a publicly listed company, Manchester United filed ownership change documents with the New York Stock Exchange earlier this week. Sometimes, being too close to something makes it harder to see clearly. And anyone who thinks Ratcliffe’s 25% stake is insignificant would be mistaken. His agreement to invest was conditional on receiving full operational control of the club.
According to Melbet App Download insiders, Ratcliffe’s company INEOS, although primarily rooted in the chemical industry, already has an impressive record in sports, having invested successfully in Formula 1, tennis, and rugby prior to acquiring Manchester United. With Ratcliffe now involved, the first tremors have hit Old Trafford: Richard Arnold, who served as Manchester United’s CEO for 16 years, has officially stepped down. Although Arnold contributed significantly during the Ferguson era, his close ties to the Glazer family made his exit almost inevitable with new leadership stepping in.
The shake-up won’t stop with Arnold’s departure. Manchester United’s football director John Murtough and operations director David Harrison are also expected to leave soon. As for replacements, Claude Blanc, currently head of INEOS Sports, is set to succeed Arnold. Life itself is often an unscripted performance, and Blanc brings a wealth of experience, having previously held executive roles at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. For the director role, the club is considering Paul Mitchell, the former Monaco sporting director, and Michael Edwards, the architect behind Liverpool’s successful rebuild under Jürgen Klopp.
Practically overnight, the Glazer family’s loyalists within Manchester United’s management have been swept away, sparking celebrations among fans who feel the dark cloud over Manchester is finally lifting. Yet Ratcliffe’s plans don’t end there. His next move targets the club’s player roster. Melbet App Download sources reveal that five players are set for departure: Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri, and Hannibal Mejbri.
Sancho’s exit comes as no surprise. Even before Ratcliffe’s arrival, Manchester United had reaffirmed support for Erik ten Hag, so Sancho, who had a falling out with the manager, was always likely to leave. Ratcliffe’s plan is to sell Sancho outright, thereby strengthening Ten Hag’s authority in the dressing room.
As for van de Beek, although he once flourished under Ten Hag at Ajax, persistent injuries and underwhelming performances have sealed his fate. Moving him on is not a sign of undermining Ten Hag but rather a strategic decision to cut away dead wood for the greater good of the team. Meanwhile, Diallo, Pellistri, and Hannibal, despite their promising talents, have struggled to secure regular playing time due to injuries or inconsistencies — unlike breakthrough star Alejandro Garnacho. For these younger players, loan moves or permanent transfers could be the best path forward for their careers.
All things considered, Ratcliffe’s first actions as owner show a masterclass in precision and decisiveness. Sometimes, seeing too clearly only robs you of joy; it’s better to move forward with simplicity and resolve. Melbet App Download believes that with such a professional and passionate new owner at the helm, the once-feared Red Devils might finally be on the verge of a true comeback in Europe.