Sir Jim Ratcliffe reveals expected £1.2billion Manchester United deal date but remains coy when queried over Old Trafford and Carrington

Sir Jim Ratcliffe expects the Premier League to approve his 25 per cent ownership of Manchester United by the middle of next month.

But he has refused to discuss his influence in the January transfer window.

Ratcliffe spoke publicly for the first time since agreeing to pay £1.2billion for a minority stake in United ahead of their Premier League home clash with Tottenham.

The INEOS owner also confirmed to reporters that he has spoken to United boss Erik ten Hag but has not yet met the players.

He said: “I'm very excited to be here. It is a big match, we normally do well against Spurs.

“I've met Erik [ten Hag] but it would be inappropriate, really [to speak to players], until it's all formalised which should be early to mid-February, we hope. We hope they don't find anything dodgy in our CV!

“I've done a few exciting things. It's taken a few turns along the road, as you know, but it all turned out well in the end.

“I can't come all the time because I have a few other things to manage, but I'll come quite a lot."

Asked about his first impressions of Old Trafford and United’s Carrington training ground, Ratcliffe said: “I don't think that would be appropriate. Good question, though. You can give me a hard time in three or four weeks, then I'll do my best to answer the question.”