INEOS plans to sell club officially confirmed

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have faced increasing scrutiny from Manchester United supporters since taking responsibility for the club’s football operations.

INEOS are co-owners of United and hold sporting control.

This means the football side of the club has effectively become their responsibility rather than simply an investment from the sidelines.

That has made this summer particularly important.

However, only three genuine first-team competitors arrived in Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

United supporters had also hoped for defensive reinforcement, particularly at left-back.

Luke Shaw remains capable of influencing games in possession and showed some encouraging moments on the ball during the dramatic 2-2 draw at Everton.

However, his injury record has been a major concern for years and, defensively, United still showed vulnerabilities at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Those problems go beyond one player.

United did not sign a defender during the summer and conceded six goals across their opening three Premier League matches.

Frustration around the club is also growing elsewhere, with supporters planning the first protest of the season ahead of the Manchester derby.

President confirms INEOS plans to sell club

INEOS’ football portfolio could now become smaller, with OGC Nice president Maurice Cohen confirming the group still intends to sell the Ligue 1 club.

Speaking in an interview published on Nice’s official website, Cohen said: “INEOS own the club. Everyone knows their mission was to sell.”

He added that interested parties have previously emerged, although no takeover has yet been completed.

INEOS have owned Nice since 2019 and their attempts to find a buyer are not new, with Ratcliffe previously lowering the asking price amid difficulty securing a deal.

Cohen nevertheless stressed that INEOS remain committed while they are still owners, praising their financial support and saying they had helped the club through a complicated period.

A sale would leave Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS with one fewer major European football commitment as pressure continues to build over their work at Manchester United.