{"id":296412,"date":"2023-11-03T18:54:54","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T18:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/?p=296412"},"modified":"2023-11-03T18:54:54","modified_gmt":"2023-11-03T18:54:54","slug":"f1s-toto-wolff-and-sir-jim-ratcliffe-hold-man-utd-talks-and-hes-a-pep-fan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allmysportsnews.com\/soccer\/f1s-toto-wolff-and-sir-jim-ratcliffe-hold-man-utd-talks-and-hes-a-pep-fan\/","title":{"rendered":"F1’s Toto Wolff and Sir Jim Ratcliffe hold Man Utd talks \u2013 and he’s a ‘Pep fan’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has hinted that he could be interested in joining Sir Jim Ratcliffe's bid to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United.<\/p>\n

    The INEOS billionaire looks set to buy a quarter of the club from the Glazer family in a move that would see him inject a \u00a3245million investment into Man United to help improve its infrastructure. Over the course of the summer, a high profiled takeover battle between Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim played out, only for the latter to recently pull out all together from trying to buy the club outright.<\/p>\n

    Ratcliffe had originally wanted to buy a 51 per cent stake but had to alter his bid after discussions with the Glazer family. And it now appears that F1 boss Toto Wolff, who is close with Ratcliffe, could be about to join his United bid.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe to run Man Utd football operations and control Erik ten Hag's future<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: Man Utd manager shortlist options if Erik ten Hag fails to turn disastrous form around<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

    The link between the two comes through INEOS owning a third of Mercedes F1. And speaking to the Press Association, Wolff explained how he would be open to joining Ratcliffe's efforts to turnaround the mood at Old Trafford, but only if he felt he "could contribute".<\/p>\n

    "Jim has shared the trajectory with me. I very much respect his values and we trust each other," Wolff said. "If we felt it would make sense to be part of the investment group then I would certainly look at it."<\/p>\n

    What do you make of Wolff potentially joining Ratcliffe's bid? Let us know in the comments section below.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    He also added: "Jim and Manchester United is a love story because he is born there. Our personal relationship is strong and with Ola Kallenius [Mercedes-Benz chief executive], they call us the Three Amigos because we live in the no-nonsense world. If we felt I could contribute then I would consider joining him at Manchester United."<\/p>\n

    Right now, Wolff and Mercedes are preparing for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil as the end of the 2023 Formula One season edges ever closer. And following his admission he would be interested in joining Ratcliffe's bid, the Austrian Mercedes boss also revealed he is a big Pep Guardiola fan – which might 'not be compatible' with the Old Trafford faithful.<\/p>\n

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    Wolff told Sky Sports: "Here we go, I had the Press Association before that and they were saying [asking] what I thought about Jim's investment and whether I would join in and I said 'he's such a clever person, if I could contribute, we'll have a chat, but that's very far away.'<\/p>\n

    He then also added: "It's not cash in the pocket," when replying to Martin Brundle's assertion he was now a billionaire. "It's somewhere that's come up with valuations," said Wolff. <\/p>\n

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    "I'm a Premier League fan, I think it's the toughest environment. I'm a Pep Guardiola fan \u2013 so I guess that's not compatible."<\/p>\n

    United's next test is a visit to Fulham in the Premier League's Saturday lunchtime kick-off. A win for Erik ten Hag's team would take them up to sixth from eighth, at least temporarily.<\/p>\n