Sir Jim Ratcliffe has formally declared his interest in purchasing Manchester United from the Glazer family and this detail marks a potentially important date for the club and its future. It also comes at a time when manager Erik ten Hag and his players have delivered a remarkable upturn on the pitch.
Of course, no matter what happens for 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon or whenever their fixtures take place, the major change United supporters want comes in the boardroom. But could that much-desired takeover or new investment, at the very least, finally be in the horizon?
United were purchased by the Glazer family in 2005 and - as reported by Manchester Evening News in November - the Americans are willing to listen to bids for their majority stake. In turn, that has led boyhood United supporter Sir Jim to formalise his interest, but why does the INEOS founder want to get involved at Old Trafford?
