Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe hijacks Liverpool move with first major decision

Robin Bairner

• 6 May 2023 11:07 BST
• 3 min read

Prospective Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made his first major decision should he be successful in his purchase of the Old Trafford side from the Glazers.

Bidding for Man Utd has extended into a third round, with Ratcliffe and a Qatari bid headed by Sheikh Jassim the two leading contenders to buy the club. There is also interest from Elliott Management, which has emerged lately.

Although there is no guarantee that the existing owners, the unpopular Glazers, will make a sale, both groups are hastily making plans should they complete the deal.

MORE: Chelsea to rival Man Utd for €150m striker

Given how close the summer transfer window is to opening – little over a month away – it is essential for these groups to have everything in line to allow for the smooth running of the club going forwards.

While Sheikh Jassim has been linked with transfers for a number of superstars, including Kylian Mbappe, Ratcliffe has instead teed up a sporting director to head the Manchester United project under his watch, according to The Independent.

The man that he has lined up to take command at Old Trafford is Paul Mitchell, who will leave Monaco in the summer.

Previously, he has worked with Tottenham Hotspur, but he has also been associated with the Red Bull group, who were successful while he was in charge.

PROFILE: Who is Paul Mitchell? The transfer genius linked to Liverpool and Man Utd

Man Utd to reignite Liverpool rivalry over Mitchell

Liverpool have also been interested in Mitchell this summer, with FootballTransfers revealing exclusively in February that Man Utd and the Reds were already squabbling over the Englishman.

Both Premier League giants are facing sizeable changes in the summer, with Man Utd’s takeover set to see sweeping alterations in how the club is run, while the Reds need an overhaul after a wretched campaign with an aging and injury-hit squad.

The battle for Mitchell, then, is set to be pivotal, with Man Utd’s interest undoubtedly a blow to Liverpool’s hopes of landing the recruitment expert.