How Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be forced out of Man Utd THIS...

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE could be forced out of Manchester United THIS YEAR. The British billionaire, 72, invested more than £1billion to take a 27.7 per cent stake in his beloved Red Devils little more than a year ago. To say it has been a tumultuous rollercoaster ride so far would be an understatement.

Image Credit: The Sun [Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos CEO and Manchester United shareholder.]

Part of the minority takeover entrusted the running of the club to Ratcliffe from the Glazer family, who remain the majority owners. And he has wasted no time in making his mark with an overhaul of the board, a new manager, hundreds of redundancies and various unpopular money-making measures - from increased ticket prices to the staff Christmas party being cancelled.

Image Credit: The Sun [Photo of Joel and Avram Glazer, Manchester United directors.]

He has even made a start on plans for a brand-new £2bn, 100,000-seater stadium to replace the crumbling, leaking Old Trafford. However, the Ratcliffe reign at Manchester United could be all over later this year. According to Bloomberg, the Glazers have the option to sell the club in six months' time.

Image Credit: The Sun [Manchester United manager and players looking dejected after a game.]

And should they go ahead and proceed with it, they can force Ratcliffe to give up his United. The report does add that Ratcliffe would have the option to make his own bid first. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. And it is understood the Ineos chief not only wants to keep his stake - but increase it if the opportunity arises.

Image Credit: The Sun [Protest against rising ticket prices.]

It is unclear what the Glazers plan to do with the club. The American family continue to own United from afar and keep a hands-off approach, even more so with Ratcliffe in charge of the day-to-day operations. Bloomberg state, though, that the Glazers were still happy with the state of the club at the end of last year.

Image Credit: The Sun [Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of PSG, at a press conference.]

That is despite the club losing more than £100million in Ratcliffe's first year and results on the pitch getting worse. Under new boss Ruben Amorim, United are 15th in the Premier League table. Internally, the ambitious plan is to win the title again by 2028.

Off the pitch, the financial landscape is bleak. SIR JIM RATCLIFFE'S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 - and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since... December 2023 - Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe's takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old Trafford.

January 2024 - Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington. January 2024 - Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO. February 2024 - Ratcliffe's £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed.

February 2024 - Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin added. March 2024 - Ratcliffe bans words "awesome" and "lukewarm cappuccino" in bizarre move. March 2024 - Matt Johnson appointed head of women's football. March 2024 - Ratcliffe announces plans to build "Wembley of the North" to replace Old Trafford.

March 2024 - Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 - down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in December. April 2024 - Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled. April 2024 - John Murtough quits as football director.

April 2024 - Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton. May 2024 - Ratcliffe turns Carrington "toxic" after sending email to employees slamming "disgraceful" lack of cleanliness. May 2024 - Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roof.

May 2024 - Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish. May 2024 - Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy. May 2024 - Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticket.

May 2024 - Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axed. May 2024 - Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of result. June 2024 - Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground.

June 2024 - Ratcliffe introduces strict "back to work" policy forcing staff to come into office. June 2024 - Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women's team. July 2024 - Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensation.

July 2024 - Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026. July 2024 - Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher's role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.

July 2024 - Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment. July 2024 - Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board. July 2024 - Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125. July 2024 - Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie.