Gary Lineker makes Manchester United takeover point amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe investment
15.12.2023 - 13:11
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Gary Lineker is unsure how much will actually change at Manchester United when INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe eventually steps into the Old Trafford boardroom.
As reported, investment from the 71-year-old is pending. The deal is thought to be worth £1.25billion and Ratcliffe will initially work alongside the much-maligned Glazer family.
United have endured a testing time on and off the pitch this season and, while Ratcliffe's impending arrival is not the full takeover most supporters wanted, there is some hope he can help restore the club to former glories. Lineker, though, is not convinced.
The delayed investment is expected to be completed imminently with Sir Dave Brailsford - who has worked with Ratcliffe in his other sporting ventures backed by INEOS Group - is being lined up for an important position at Old Trafford behind the scenes. Lineker, 63, chatted about the possible impact that might have on The Rest Is Football podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
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Lineker said: "Ratcliffe is supposedly coming in, it's supposed to be quite imminent and Brailsford is supposed to be coming in, but it's hard to envisage it changing it that much, really. If you look at them now, how many players do they need to change things? Half the team?
"That takes time, that takes money and it takes good recruitment, which is the same with any club, whatever your budget is. Their [spending power] has been pretty big, but it just shows you how big recruitment is and getting it right."
United splashed out £183million combined on Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund this summer. Their outlay since