Sir Jim Ratcliffe addresses the media for the first time since his partial takeover

Sir Jim Ratcliffe met media personnel in an informal gathering at Old Trafford before the Manchester United vs Tottenham match.

This is the first match that Sir Jim is attending since purchasing 25 per cent of his boyhood club. The INEOS billionaire is still waiting for his £1.3bn investment to be ratified by sometime in February.

Speaking at an informal gathering of reporters before Sunday’s match between United and Tottenham, he said:

“It’s the first match for me since we got here.

“I am very excited to be here, but I can’t answer any questions really.. It’s a big match. We normally do well against Spurs.”

The 71-year old was asked if this is the most exciting thing he has ever done, he said:

“Correct. Yes. I have done a few exciting things but there is no question. It’s taken a few turns, as you know, but these things take some doing. (It will be completed) early to mid-February. Hopefully we don’t find anything dodgy!”

Ratcliffe admitted that he last came to Old Trafford ‘two or three years ago’. On being asked when was the first time he visited the club, he said:

“When I was a kid. Quite young. Ten or something, it is 60 years ago.

“I can’t come all the time because I have some other things. But I will come”

The media asked the boyhood Manchester United fan about his favourite players, to which he replied:

“(Paul) Scholes, Eric (Cantona) probably.”

Ratcliffe and his sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford visited the Carrington training facility to meet with Erik ten Hag but he revealed he is yet to meet the whole squad at the club.

“I have met Erik but (that would be) inappropriate until it is all formalised,” he said.

On Man United’s new signing, Ratcliffe dodged the comment by saying:

“No comment.”