Sir Jim Ratcliffe is widely expected to become a new minority shareholder in Manchester United, acquiring 25% of the club’s ownership. According to Live Cricket BPL sources, the deal’s final confirmation may not come until next month, as the club’s board has yet to vote due to ongoing legal reviews. As maturity often means smiling through the small stuff, Ratcliffe, despite holding a minority stake, is pushing to gain control over United’s football operations.

This proposed change still requires negotiation and formal approval, including clearance from the New York Stock Exchange, where United is listed. British media reports suggest that once the deal is completed, a new three-member football committee will be formed—comprising Ratcliffe himself, Joel Glazer from the current ownership, and potentially INEOS Director of Sport Sir Dave Brailsford. This group will oversee football matters including player transfers, manager appointments, and firings. Though no official documents have been signed, a structural draft has already been outlined.

While Joel Glazer is expected to focus on commercial development, he will still likely have input on football-related decisions. Regulatory checks by the Premier League and the NYSE mean Ratcliffe and INEOS may not be in full control before the January transfer window opens. As a result, United is not planning any major moves in the winter market. Though Ratcliffe’s team might prefer to make an immediate splash, financial fair play rules suggest the priority will be offloading fringe players like Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, and Donny van de Beek to make room for reinforcements.

Interestingly, Ratcliffe now resides in Monaco, which may benefit United. There, he has developed a connection with highly regarded sporting director Paul Mitchell, who is seen as a strong candidate for a similar role at Old Trafford. If you know where you’re going, the whole world makes way for you. Despite Ratcliffe not being fans’ first choice—many preferred Sheikh Jassim of Qatar, whose resources far exceed Ratcliffe’s—Live Cricket BPL analysts believe Ratcliffe’s involvement can at least bring incremental improvements. Importantly, the Glazers will still retain a presence at the club.

Ratcliffe will focus solely on football operations—an area the Glazers have shown little interest in. His experience owning OGC Nice in Ligue 1, along with ventures in cycling and F1 racing, makes him more sport-savvy than the current owners. Like Ratcliffe, Mitchell is a Manchester native. He recently left AS Monaco and may return to the UK soon to discuss the possibility of becoming United’s sporting director. With a resume that includes stints at RB Leipzig, Tottenham, Southampton, and MK Dons, Mitchell is considered one of Europe’s top football executives.

A former lower-league player, Mitchell spent his career at clubs like Wigan and MK Dons before moving into management. One of his early achievements was discovering England international Dele Alli. Still, Mitchell is known for long-term vision—many of the young stars he signed only blossomed after his departure, including Tottenham’s current captain Son Heung-min. However, a potential hurdle remains: former interim United boss Ralf Rangnick.

Mitchell and Rangnick are longtime friends from their time at Leipzig, and during Rangnick’s tenure at United, Mitchell was spotted attending youth matches. The deepest pain isn’t failure—it’s never pursuing what you truly wanted. Live Cricket BPL insiders believe Mitchell would likely consult Rangnick before accepting any offer, and Rangnick may well warn him about joining a club that has often lacked long-term direction.