Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly open to a sale amid growing interest from Saudi investors.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly preparing to offload his stake in French club OGC Nice as his attention increasingly turns to Manchester United. The head of INEOS, who acquired Nice in 2019 for around £89 million, is believed to be considering offers, including interest from Saudi Arabia.

Despite his investment, Nice has not managed to secure any major trophies under his ownership, and recent reports suggest he may be ready to move on. The team is currently in fifth place in Ligue 1, but that has not been enough to satisfy the British businessman. French outlet L’Informe has indicated that Ratcliffe is open to stepping away, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund—already a stakeholder in Newcastle United—has reportedly taken notice and may be preparing a bid.

Ratcliffe, who also owns a significant share of Manchester United, has not hidden his indifference towards Nice’s level of play. He once confessed that while the team has quality players, the overall football standard failed to excite him. Ironically, he admitted that the club’s most successful season occurred during a period when INEOS wasn’t actively involved, hinting that less interference might have been beneficial.

In 2023, Ratcliffe made headlines by purchasing nearly 28% of Manchester United for a massive £1.3 billion. Since gaining control of the football operations at Old Trafford, several of his decisions have sparked fan outrage. These include dismissing club legend Sir Alex Ferguson from an ambassadorial role and eliminating discounted ticket rates for children and concessions, prompting protests.

His managerial decisions have also drawn criticism. The team has struggled in the league—currently sitting in 14th place after its poorest performance in half a century. One of his biggest moves was the delayed dismissal of Erik ten Hag, replaced by Ruben Amorim. So far, the transition has been rocky.

Despite the backlash, Ratcliffe has urged fans to be patient with Amorim. He emphasized the manager’s challenges—adjusting to the Premier League mid-season and managing in a second language—and called for understanding. Ratcliffe insisted criticism should be directed at him instead, expressing confidence in Amorim’s abilities and work ethic.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s reported plan to sell OGC Nice signals a major shift in focus — one that places Manchester United at the core of INEOS’s football ambitions. With Nice never quite reaching the heights expected under his ownership, and amid mounting challenges at United, this move suggests Ratcliffe is ready to fully concentrate on rebuilding the English giants.

However, his tenure at United so far has been marred by controversial decisions, from high-profile dismissals to unpopular policy changes, and the club’s alarming league form. The decision to stand by Ruben Amorim shows long-term vision, but with United languishing in 14th, fan patience is wearing thin.

Selling Nice might free resources and attention — but unless Ratcliffe can steady the ship at Old Trafford, questions will persist about his football leadership.

Would you like a breakdown of how INEOS’s football operations could change if the Nice sale goes through?