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Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke to reporters after arriving at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur in person.
The INEOS billionaire physically attended the match for the first time since his partial investment in the club was announced.
A previous report covered by The Peoples Person reported that Ratcliffe would be present and was in fact spotted on cameras arriving at United’s iconic home before kick-off.
He sat down with reporters and answered a series of questions as he waits for the Premier League to ratify his deal with the Glazers. Only after that happens will he officially start working at United.
The British businessman gave an update on the ongoing approval process and when it is likely to be completed.
He said: “We hope early to mid-February.” Then he joked: “We hope you don’t find anything dubious on our CV!”
Ratcliffe’s deal with the Glazers is expected to give him full control of United’s sporting operations, including aspects such as transfers and recruitment.
When asked if he would have any opinion on the Red Devils’ activities in the market in January, he simply replied: “No comment.”
The 71-year-old revealed whether he plans to regularly attend United matches. “I can’t come all the time because I have some other things to manage, but I will come quite a bit.”
When asked how long he had had to wait to own a stake in his boyhood club, the INEOS president replied: “A few years. We had to take a few turns along the way, as you know, but in the end everything turned out well.”
Regarding the Tottenham game he commented: “The first game for me since we arrived here. I’m very excited to be here. Great game. We usually do well against Spurs.”
How many times will you come to the games? “I can’t come all the time because I have other things. But I will go.”
First impressions of Carrington and Old Trafford? “It’s not appropriate to answer that, good questions.”
Favorite players? “Scholes, Eric probably.”
– Brad Cox (@BradJCox_) January 14, 2024
When asked who his favorite players were over the years, he named Paul Scholes and Eric Cantona.