Jim Ratcliffe's impact on OGC Nice highlighted amid Manchester United takeover

Manchester United's new minority shareholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is poised to assume a significant role in the club's football operations at Old Trafford, and his track record at the French club OGC Nice may offer insights into how his influence could shape the Premier League club's future.

The billionaire and Ineos founder is reportedly on the verge of taking control of football matters at Old Trafford, with an official announcement expected this week, pending the ratification of his £1.3 billion bid for a 25% stake in the Premier League giants.

While fans at Man United are excited about the move, the words of a French football transfer expert about how Ratcliff managed Ligue 1 club OGC Nice could be a worrying sign that the fans could keep a close watch on.

Since Ratcliffe's £88 million takeover of OGC Nice in 2019, the Ligue 1 club has seemingly experienced relative stagnation. The club's trajectory has shifted from being title contenders to merely securing their place in the league.

Football expert Jonathan Johnson, in a conversation with Sky Sports, underscored the lack of significant progress under the management of the British billionaire, stating, "It's been a mixed bag with Ratcliffe and Nice so far. They have had their moments, but there has been no tangible success. The project hasn't quite lived up to expectations."

These concerns were succinctly echoed by the club captain, Dante Bonfim, who expressed his frustration with Ratcliffe's approach in May, as reported by TalkSport, admonishing the 70-year-old to "work more and speak less."

For Manchester United fans with high hopes for Ratcliffe's involvement in the club's sporting affairs, the reservations raised by the transfer expert serve as a cautionary note, urging the club supporters to manage their expectation with the British Billionaire.