Toto Wolff delivers hammer blow with Sir Jim Ratcliffe Man Utd takeover hopes

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Mercedes Formula One boss Toto Wolff has insisted Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s part-takeover of Manchester United is “very far away” in another blow to the club’s fans. The Austrian billionaire opened up on a recent conversation with the INEOS chief, and believes the British entrepreneur’s proposed bid is far from a done deal.

Ratcliffe was first linked with the deal after Manchester United’s current owners – The Glazer family – put the club up for sale in November 2022. The British billionaire was among several names linked with a bid, including Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani – who has since dropped out of the race after proposing a full takeover of the club worth £5 billion.

The 71-year-old is the only remaining bidder for the football giant and has proposed a deal for a 25 percent stake. The £1.5 billion bid would see the club’s controversial owners still involved in the running of the club with a majority share.

But despite his deal seeming like a somewhat formality, Ratcliffe’s deal is far from being completed according to Wolff. Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Wolff discussed potentially being involved in the deal.

“I was asked about Jim’s investment and if I would join in,” he said. “And I said ‘He’s such a clever person.’ If I could contribute we’d have a chat but no, that’s very far away.”

The news will be a blow to United fans who are keen to see the Glazer family leave the club. Tensions have grown between the fanbase and United’s American owners following a lack of clarity amid the ongoing sale, marred with the team’s struggles on the pitch.

The opening ten games of the season under Erik ten Hag have accumulated in just six wins and five defeats in the Premier League – including back-to-back 3-0 losses to Manchester City and Newcastle United. The club recently earned a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham thanks to a late Bruno Fernandes goal, but further protests from fans have been spotted regarding the sale.

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A deal between Wolff and Ratcliffe would come as little surprise with both investors owning a third of Mercedes F1. The duo have become well acquainted in recent years, with Wolff going on to heap praise on Ratcliffe’s character while speaking to Press Association.

“Jim has shared the trajectory with me,” Wolff added. “I very much respect his values and we trust each other. If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it. If I felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United.”

The Austrian went on to claim that he would be left in a difficult predicament if he were to invest in United. “I’m a Premier League fan. I think it’s the toughest environment. I’m a Pep Guardiola fan, so I guess that’s not compatible!”

Manchester United are next in action when they face F.C. Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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