The billionaire wants to start investing on and off the pitch immediately (Picture: Getty)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will look to expand and improve Old Trafford as a matter of urgency once he has successfully bought a stake in Manchester United, according to reports.
The British billionaire is set to have an offer worth in the region of £1.3billion for a 25 per cent stake in the club accepted by the United board when they meet on Thursday to discuss the offer.
As part of the agreement, Ratcliffe has also negotiated a clause that grants him and Ineos control of sporting matters with the Glazers set to take a back seat.
According to The Times, one of the first issues on the agenda will be renovating Old Trafford – which is deemed to require urgent modernisation.
During United’s 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the end of last month, clips went viral showing supporters getting drenched because of the leaking roof above their heads.
The need to both upgrade and expand Old Trafford is said to have been a ‘significant part of negotiations’ recently and Ineos feel it would be an important step to allay fans’ fears over the Glazers’ continued involvement.
Ineos intend to accelerate plans to begin renovating Old Trafford and funds have already been set aside.
Ineos want to improve and expand Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)
They also want to increase the capacity at Old Trafford from the current 74,310 to 90,000, putting it level with Wembley as the biggest stadium in the UK.
Ratcliffe’s offer for a 25% stake is seen as the first step on the road to eventually securing a full takeover and Ineos intend to make significant investment into the club’s infrastructure, with the Carrington training facilities also expected to receive an overhaul.
Due to a non-disclosure agreement signed when Ineos joined the bidding process nearly a year ago, they have been unable to speak publicly about their plans.
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But if the deal is ratified at Thursday’s board meeting, Ineos will then be able to start outlining their vision in greater detail and clarity and are hoping to win over sceptical supporters.
A report in The Sun paints a slightly different picture of Ratcliffe’s plans, however, with suggestions that Ineos are aware of a number of problems they could face in redeveloping and expanding Old Trafford.
As such, they could prioritise trying to improve performances on the pitch instead and will look to invest in new signings in the January window.
MORE : Sir Jim Ratcliffe negotiates clause that gives him control of sporting matters at Manchester United
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