Man Utd Supporters’ Trust release statement after billionaire Jim Ratcliffe reveals takeover intentions from Glazers

MANCHESTER UNITED Supporters' Trust have welcomed dialogue with Jim Ratcliffe amid takeover talks.

We revealed the British billionaire is interested in buying the Red Devils from the Glazer family after it emerged this week that the Americans are open to selling a minority stake.

Pressure has grown on the Glazers to sell with United fans protesting in huge numbers in recent years.

Responding to Ratcliffe's interest, the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) wrote: "Speculation is mounting about a potential change of ownership or new investors at Manchester United.

"Whilst supporters have called for change, of course this has to be the right change.

"Any prospective new owner or investor has to be committed to the culture ethos and best traditions of the club.

"They have to be willing to invest to restore United to former glories, and that investment must be real new money spent on the playing side and the stadium.

"Finally any new ownership structure must embed supporters, including a degree of fan share ownership, in their operating model.

"These are the criteria supporters will judge any bid on.

"We are open to dialogue with any bidder, and look forward to any such discussions."

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Ratcliffe, 69 is worth around 11bn and would jump at the chance to invest in Man United.

He is keen to take over the entire club, valued at around £5bn, and would be willing to shell out on overhauling the playing squad and modernising Old Trafford.

A spokesperson said: “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer.

“If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership.

“This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent.

"Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset."

Supporters marched on Old Trafford with anti-Glazers banners and flares before the season opener against Brighton, with fresh protests set for Monday's game against Liverpool.

And Ratcliffe, one of the richest people in Britain, would jump at the chance to invest in the Old Trafford side and take "full control".

The 69-year-old, who is a lifelong Red Devils supporter, failed in a last-ditch bid to buy Chelsea earlier in May.

Ratcliffe bought Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport in 2017, while he has also pumped cash into cycling's Team Sky and Mercedes F1.

In 2019 he bought Ligue 1 outfit Nice, and he has also sponsored Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team.