Failsworth-born Sir Jim eyes United stake

Failsworth-born Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Failsworth-born Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reported to be 'serious' about plans to buy Premier League football giants Manchester United, if the club is for sale.

United have declined to comment about rumours and speculation in the national news today (Thursday).

Ratcliffe - Britain's richest man - is the CEO of Ineos Group Ltd.

He also owns cycling team Ineos Grenadiers, Ligue 1 side Nice, who he took over in 2019, and FC Lausanne-Sport, a Swiss Super League club.

The 69-year-old, who is believed to be a Manchester United supporter, tabled a last-minute £4.25 billion bid to buy Chelsea this summer, but saw his offer rejected as American businessman Todd Boehly successfully took over the club.

Ratcliffe's interest comes following a report the Glazer family are considering selling a minority stake in Manchester United, according to Bloomberg.

Preliminary discussions have been held about bringing in a new investor, Bloomberg reports.

United are not commenting on the report.

The Glazers have owned Manchester United since 2005.

Ratcliffe lived in Failsworth until the age of 10 when his family moved to East Yorkshire.

He went to Beverley Grammar School, studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University, and gained an MBA from London Business School, according to a Financial Times profile.

His father, who was a joiner, went on to run a factory that made laboratory furniture, while his mother worked in an accounts office.

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