British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has recently completed a £1.3 billion acquisition of Manchester United, obtaining 25 per cent of the shares. In an intriguing turn of events, Ratcliffe finalized the transaction through his company, Trawlers Limited, which he named after his beloved Man Utd star, Eric Cantona. This move has captured the attention of football enthusiasts and fans alike.
Trawlers Limited, the company utilized by Ratcliffe for the acquisition, is registered in the Isle of Man and was established in October, just a day after Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Ratcliffe’s sole competitor for the acquisition, withdrew his bid. The company’s name pays tribute to the iconic Manchester United striker, Eric Cantona, who played a pivotal role in the club’s success during the 1990s.
The inspiration behind the company’s name stems from Cantona’s famous quote, “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.” This iconic statement was made by Cantona during a press conference in 1995, following an incident on the field which led to a ban and community service. The mention of trawlers in his quote is what motivated Ratcliffe to name his company Trawlers Limited.
Expressing his fervor for the club, Ratcliffe discussed his intentions to restore Manchester United to its former glory following his successful acquisition. The club has not achieved Premier League victory since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Ratcliffe, a staunch supporter of Manchester United, aims to leverage the global knowledge, expertise, and talent of the wider INEOS Sport group to drive further enhancement in the club’s performance.
In a formal statement, Ratcliffe declared his dedication to collaborating with the board, staff, players, and fans to elevate the club back to the summit of English, European, and world football. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but reassured that they would be approached with utmost dedication and passion. His long-term vision involves facilitating future investments into Old Trafford and unlocking the club’s full potential, both commercially and in winning trophies.
Following Ratcliffe’s acquisition, Manchester United currently occupies eighth place in the Premier League after a challenging start to the season under Erik ten Hag. Nonetheless, the new ownership has sparked renewed hope and anticipation among fans for a revival under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s leadership.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent acquisition of shares signifies a new era for Manchester United, with fans eagerly anticipating the positive changes and developments that lie ahead for their beloved club.