Glazer set for key role at Man United after Ratcliffe's £1.4bn deal

Joel Glazer is set for key role at Man United after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.4bn purchase of 25 per cent stake in the club… with American expected to have a seat on new three-man football committee to leave fans fuming

  • Joel Glazer could have a say in on-field matters after deal goes through 
  • Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford will also sit on the new committee
  • Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Joel Glazer is expected to sit on a three-man football committee following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United.

In a development that may anger large sections of the club’s support, the American – a key member of the hugely-disliked owning family – is expected to have a say in on-field matters after Ratcliffe’s deal goes through.

The investment, of around £1.4billion, is being made on the understanding that Ratcliffe, who will also sit on the group with Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford, will have control of the football operation at Old Trafford. That includes signing and selling players and hiring and firing managers. 

However, Glazer is likely to be consulted and have the ability to deliver his own view.

Sources close to the process have disclosed that while nothing has been signed off a proposal has been drafted which covers the new structure. 

Joel Glazer (R) could have a say in on-field matters after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal goes through

 Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan, will pay around £1.4billion for a quarter share at Old Trafford

The British billionaire would have greater control over firing and hiring managers as well as making signings and selling players

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United fans had hoped that the ‘strategic review’ for investment or a full sale that was launched last November would see the back of the Glazers, who took over the club in a leveraged £790m buyout in 2005.

The only offer for a full takeover came from Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, who withdrew from the race over the weekend.

But while Ratcliffe, with his 25 per cent stake, will assume effective control on football, Glazer will have a say and is also expected to continue overseeing United’s commercial operation.

One insider, who did not wish to be named, claimed it would be ‘ludicrous’ to think that the Glazers would have no say following the investment, which is in the final stages. 

‘You cannot simply separate the commercial and football departments,’ they explained. 

‘Football decisions have a knock-on effect on the commercial operation and vice versa. To think they can operate independent of each other is ludicrous.’ 

It had been hoped that the deal would be ratified at a board meeting on Friday afternoon. 

However, lawyers are continuing to work on the finer details of what is a complex agreement, and insiders have warned that a final agreement could take ‘weeks’. 

Ratcliffe will sit on the group with Glazer and Ineos director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford (above)

Man United fans have continued to staged protests against the Glazers’ ownership

Should that be the case, New York Stock Exchange and Premier League requirements would make it unlikely that Ratcliffe and Ineos, would be in at Old Trafford for the turn of the year and the opening of the January window.

Mail Sport understands that United are not planning major moves in January. While the new group may well want to make an instant impact, compliance with financial fair play rules means the view within the club is that players – such as Harry Maguire – would need to be sold or depart on loan to free up space to bring in new faces.

Sources close to the bid team of Sheikh Jassim say there is ‘zero chance’ that he will return to the table.

The meeting of the 12-strong board, which takes place on Friday afternoon to allow those in the US to attend virtually, was pre-planned, with the intention to discuss financial matters.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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