Man Utd takeover: Key figure ‘to leave’ as Sir Jim Ratcliffe deal nears

Old Trafford, Manchester (Photo by David Davies – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial 25% takeover of Manchester United looks to be nearing a conclusion, with fresh reports chief executive Richard Arnold is ‘to leave’.

The 52-year-old replaced Ed Woodward in February 2022. And there are today widespread reports he is to leave the club.

It comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover of Manchester United is expected to be agreed before the club’s next game, a trip to Everton on 26 November.

Ratcliffe and his Ineos consortium are in the final stages of the negotiations for him to purchase 25 percent of the club’s shares for a fee of around £1.3bn. Once that is agreed, the deal will need to be ratified with the Premier League while there will also be a gap in order to comply with public company regulations.

Once Ratcliffe’s investment is confirmed, the 71-year-old will essentially take over the running of United’s football operations, while operating alongside the Glazers. And changes are already planned.

BBC Sport report: “Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold is set to leave the club, BBC Sport understands.” They added: “His departure, yet to be officially confirmed, comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group prepares to finalise its purchase of a 25% stake in the Premier League giants.”