After nearly a year of being sold a dream by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Manchester United fans are wary of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed acquisition. The INEOS CEO is due to conclude a £1.4 billion agreement with the Glazer family for a 25% stake in the club, which is believed to be the first step toward a full takeover.
Sir Jim – who also owns FC Lausanne-Sport and OGC Nice – has already proven the backing he is prepared to provide his childhood club.
Investment in playing personnel
Sir Jim took over Nice in 2019, spending a net spend of about £113 million since then, second only to Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille.
It marks an astounding £158 million swing, given that Nice had made a profit on transfers of £45 million in the five years before to INEOS’ entry.
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The financial backing has paid off four years after Sir Jim entered the helm. Nice are the only unbeaten Ligue 1 club after nine games, sitting one point behind AS Monaco in second.
Francesco Farioli looks like an inspired managerial appointment. His side currently boasts the best defence in Europe’s top five leagues, keeping six clean sheets and conceding just four goals.
Investment in club infrastructure
Sheikh Jassim vowed to inject significant funds to redevelop Old Trafford, United’s Carrington training ground, the club’s wider infrastructure and the local community.
His decision has raised concerns that much-needed investment will not be forthcoming. However, Sir Jim has been diligent in sanctioning Nice enhancements.
The Failsworth-born entrepreneur oversaw a £13.5 million investment in the French club’s modern training facilities, which will open in the summer of 2020.
He is claimed to have set aside monies, in addition to the £1.4 billion he is paying for a minority interest, to fund repairs that the Glazer family has ignored for 18 years.
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