“He’ll want to do the right thing by the club” United hero on potential buyer

Gary Neville has given his reaction to the news that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially put his company in the shop window to buy Manchester United.

Earlier this week, The Times reported that the boyhood United fan had declared his intentions publicly to purchase the club, which would have come as welcome news to the United fans because they have been desperate to get rid of the Glazers for a long time, with regular protests occurring outside Old Trafford after every if not all home games this season.

Ratcliffe has a number of sporting ventures, such as owning Ligue 1 side Nice in France and he has a cycling team called INEOS Grenadiers [via Sky Sports] and the fact that he supports Manchester United suggests that he would have the club’s best interests at heart and speaking to Sky Sports before Manchester City’s game with Tottenham last night, Neville agrees with that point as he thinks that Ratcliffe, who tried to purchase Chelsea last year but it was rejected, will “want to do the right thing by the club” [Sky Sports].

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe was born in Manchester and knows the area. If he wins it, there will be a lot of happy Manchester United fans as I think he’ll want to do the right thing by the club.

“Beyond the Glazers leaving, I don’t think United can afford to be with another investment fund where they’re expecting a return on the money. That’s what worries me about private equity coming into football.

“People are still looking for a return on their money and a return on their investment. Manchester United need a debt-free football club with someone who is willing to put money into it.

“The problem is the price they’re going to have to pay for it is going to be big so you’re going to have to have deep pockets. I don’t know if Sir Jim is going to be able to bring people in with him, but I’m hopeful that can happen.