It has been a very difficult year for Sir Jim Ratcliffe since completing his minority takeover of Manchester United.
Manchester United’s first full season under Ineos ownership will go down as one of the worst in the club’s history.
The Red Devils have dropped to 16th in the Premier League with a club-record 18 defeats in a single campaign. The 2025 Europa League final is the only remaining chance for Ruben Amorim to salvage the season and qualify for the Champions League.
United fans have protested against Ratcliffe during his first full season as co-owner, with criticism aimed at the ruthless cost-cutting methods and the rise in ticket prices.
Earlier this season, Ratcliffe claimed United were going bust before the takeover and the cost-cutting methods were implemented, but it is his own personal wealth that will be his biggest concern.
Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s net worth plummets over £6bn
During the takeover saga, reports estimated Ratcliffe’s net worth at around £30bn before he bought a minority stake at Old Trafford.
Since then, Ratcliffe completed a £1.2bn takeover and has invested as much as £300m of his own personal wealth into the club for infrastructure projects and day-to-day running.
In November, it was reported that Ratcliffe’s net worth plummeted £4bn just shy of 12 months after the takeover was completed. Unfortunately for the British billionaire, the losses did not stop there.
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According to BBC Sport, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has lost around a quarter of his wealth in a single year, losing £6.4 billion over the last 12 months.
His wealth has declined from £23.519bn to £17.046bn, which has seen him slip to seventh in the list of the UK’s richest people.
Ratcliffe’s declining wealth will be a major concern, and it also poses an important question for United.
Can Sir Jim Ratcliffe afford to complete majority Man United takeover?
Ratcliffe currently owns a 27.7% stake in Manchester United following his minority takeover, but it seems that was just step one of a bigger plan.
It has previously been reported by The Athletic that the Glazers want Ratcliffe to buy their remaining shares, but his incredibly difficult year as United and Ineos owner means that could prove difficult.
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe told he could strike controversial £300m deal to fund 100,000-seater Man United stadium
It has recently been suggested that there could be a new United takeover saga if the Glazers look elsewhere for a new bidder, with the US family able to force Ratcliffe to sell his stake.
If Ratcliffe is having second thoughts about completing a majority takeover, or can no longer afford to go ahead with the deal, then United fans could soon be treated – or damned – to another takeover saga.