As part of a £1.3 billiоn transaction for a minority interest in the Red Devils, the billionaire founder of Ineos also secured control of sporting affairs on Christmas Eve.
Last week, he spoke with club employees at all levels for three days, including a visit to Carrington for many hours with manager Ten Hag.
Ratcliffe has not yet made it to a single United game since the announcement, despite the fact that the club has played three times (against Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Wigan Athletic).
Chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc was seen at both the Villa and Wigan games, while Ineos’ director of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, was present at all three matches.
Ratcliffe has maintained his distance thus far despite being a lifelong United fan—he even watched the club win the Champions League at Camp Nou in 1999.
However, that will all change on Sunday when Tottenham visits Old Trafford. According to the Daily Mail, the 61-year-old will be sitting in the director’s box for the first time.
The Glazer family still owns the majority of the club even though they no longer have authority over football, but Ratcliffe plans to be much more accessible and visible.
Since United’s victory against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in February, Avram Glazer has been absent from nearly all United games.
Meanwhile, Joel Glazer hasn’t been seen at Old Trafford since they lost to Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League about five years ago.
Ratcliffe has been in frequent contact with senior United workers and is eager to be active behind the scenes.
He will likely be present at most games, beginning with the match against Tottenham, and Brailsford and Blanc will also be regulars.
The £1.3 billiоn transaction between Ineos and the Glazers has been approved, but it could take up to six weeks for the Premier League to ratify it.
There will be little activity during the January transfer window, with an emphasis on outgoings, until a new recruiting team is established well in advance of the summer, since the new Ineos staff is unable to make any decisions until then.