INEOS chairman Jim Ratcliffe has urged Manchester United fans to be patient after agreeing to purchase a 25% stake in the club.

The £1.25 billion deal, announced on Christmas Eve, includes a commitment to invest over £236 million to refurbish the club's infrastructure.

Additionally, INEOS will take over the management of United's football operations. Ratcliffe has written to the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, the Fans' Forum, and the Fans' Advisory Board, emphasizing that achieving success on the pitch will require time and patience.

"I wanted to write to you at this time given the critical role of the fans to the future of Manchester United as we recognise our responsibility as custodians of the club on your behalf," Ratcliffe wrote.

"I believe we can bring sporting success on the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success that the club has enjoyed.

"It will require time and patience alongside rigour and the highest level of professional management.

"You are ambitious for Manchester United and so are we. There are no guarantees in sport, and change can inevitably take time but we are in it for the long term and together we want to help take Manchester United back to where the club belongs, at the very top of English, European and world football.

"I take that responsibility very seriously.

"Please note that, as with any deal, it is subject to the usual regulatory sign-off process and therefore we do not expect to speak publicly about club matters until after the deal is completed."

In November 2022, Manchester United's owners, the Glazer family, announced their plan to conduct a strategic review of their options, including the potential sale of the club.

Both Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim were initially contenders for a complete buyout of the club until October. However, Sheikh Jassim withdrew his bid for full control on October 14, prompting Ratcliffe to shift his focus to acquiring a significant minority stake in Manchester United.