Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly signed a gagging order agreeing not to criticise Manchester United’s owners the Glazers.
The British billionaire recently purchased a 25 per cent stake in the club after fending off competition from Sheikh Jassim.
Ratcliffe is set to take control of sporting matters at United, who are yet to win the Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
The 71-year-old has pledged to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford after a decade of mediocrity.
Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly signed a gagging order at the club
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And it seems as though he’s ready to toe the line at United as his arrival edges closer.
Ratcliffe has, per The Times, agreed to a section that says the billionaire’s company Trawlers Limited will not make public statements that ‘constitute an ad hominem attack on, criticise, or otherwise disparage, the sellers [The Glazers], the company [United] or their respective affiliates’.
The same conditions apply to the Glazers, too.
The Americans must ‘refrain from any publiic criticism of their new investor’.
Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake could pave the way for a complete takeover of United further down the line.
He is set to be joined at the club by Sir Dave Brailsford, who watched United’s stirring 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils looked as though they’d slump to another defeat after goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker.
But United didn’t read the script.
A brace from Alejandro Garnacho got them level, with the Argentina international one of their only shining lights from the season so far.
And Rasmus Hojlund struck the winner, netting his first Premier League goal in the process.
Erik ten Hag has seemed a dead man walking this season.
And United must brief Ratcliffe if they have any plans of relieving the 52-year-old of his duties.
Ratcliffe, meanwhile, has told United fans that he’s ‘in it for the long term’ and determined to achieve success.
“As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club,” he said.
“Whilst the commercial success of the club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.
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Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed not to publicly criticise the Glazers
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“We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider Ineos Sport group to help drive further improvement at the club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.
“We are here for the long term and recognise that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigour, professionalism and passion.
“We are committed to working with everyone at the club – the board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the club forward.
“Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”
Ratcliffe has also written to MUST, too, adding: “I wanted to write to you at this time given the critical role of the fans to the future of Manchester United as we recognise our responsibility as custodians of the Club on your behalf.
Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford
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“I believe we can bring sporting success on the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success that the club has enjoyed.
“It will require time and patience alongside rigour and the highest level of professional management.
“You are ambitious for Manchester United and so are we.
“There are no guarantees in sport, and change can inevitably take time but we are in it for the long term and together we want to help take Manchester United back to where the club belongs, at the very top of English, European and World Football. I take that responsibility very seriously.
“Please note that, as with any deal, it is subject to the usual regulatory sign-off process and therefore we do not expect to speak publicly about Club matters until after the deal has completed.”
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