Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS firm took over 27.7% of the ownership of Manchester United at the end of 2023, the British entrepreneur has been doing everything he can to make the club financially sustainable.
Ratcliffe’s measures have been widely controversial, with the INEOS owner making 450 redundancies to the club, reducing funding to associated groups such as the Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association, and carrying out intense scrutiny of club purchase.
As well as trying to limit the club’s expenditure, Ratcliffe has also looked to boost income, by increasing ticket prices, organising more friendly tournaments such as the Premier League Summer Series in the USA and United’s post-season tour of Asia, as well as redesigning seating at Old Trafford to create more VIP hospitality zones, such as around the dugout.
Due to these measures, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has claimed that he’s saved the club from going bust by Christmas 2025, which was the trajectory of the club prior to his involvement.
However, he’s not the only one claiming that he’s involvement has boosted the club’s financial outlook, with the New York Stock Exchange promoting United’s stock from a “sell” order to a “hold” order earlier this year of the Manchester United stock, NYSE MANU.
Due to Ratcliffe’s financial awareness and scrutiny at the club, the stock exchange projected financial growth for the club in years to come, promoting investors to buy shares in the Premier League side.
Now, MarketBeat has reported that Ariel Investment LLC have increased their shares in Manchester United, having bought an extra 205,807 shares to give them a total ownership of 8,575,329 shares valuing at £82,855,830 ($112,251,000) as of the end of last quarter, owning 5.06% of the Red Devils.
However, they aren’t the only firm to increase their ownership, with Cooperman Leon G acquiring an additional 238,032 shares to increase their holdings to 2,839,737 shares valued at £27,437,768 ($37,172,000).
Lancaster Investment Management also increased the number of shares they hold, taking their ownership to 880,351 shares having purchased an additional 64,000, with their shares valued at £8,506,210 ($11,524,000), and Gabelli Funds LLC’s shares are now valued at £4,115,812 ($5,576,000) after purchasing an additional 30,087 shares to increase their holdings to 425,995.
Whilst these increases have seen each of the firms grow their holdings, it hasn’t had a major impact to the stock as a whole which currently sits at £11.6 ($15.72) per share, with a 12-month low of £8.89 ($12.05) and a 12-month high of £14.50 ($19.65).
