Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos confirm interest in buying Premier League giants

British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially confirmed his interest in buying Manchester United.

The club’s current owners, the Glazer family, announced their intent to “explore strategic alternatives” – which included the option of a sale – back in November, and though reports suggest bidders are expected from multiple sources, Ratcliffe’s business Ineos are the first to publicly state their position.

Ratcliffe is one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals, and within his Ineos stable he already has various sporting teams, such as the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team and Ligue 1 side Nice.

This, however, would be his first foray into English football.

“We have formally put ourselves into the process,” read a statement from Ratcliffe’s spokesperson, as per The Times.

Beyond the expression of interest, formal bids are likely to start coming in from next month, with the Glazers believed to want to secure as much as £5 billion for the club’s sale.

It would not be the first time Ratcliffe has tried to buy up a Premier League team, having been interested in Chelsea last year, and perhaps burned by that experience – where he entered the process too late to be considered – he has emerged quickly from the blocks this time around.

On the field, United have had their strongest season for some time, with the club still in contention for the Premier League, the Europa League, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.

That could, in theory, push the attractiveness – and therefore price – of the club even higher.