MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a man mountain after seeing snaps of the club’s new shareholder with Erik ten Hag.
Britain’s richest man took a stroll around United’s Carrington training ground and Old Trafford this week following his December acquisition of shares in the club.
GettySir Jim Ratcliffe visited Manchester United’s Carrington training ground with Sir Dave Brailsford this week[/caption]
GETTYThe duo inspected the club’s training facilities[/caption]
GETTYRed Devils fans were blown away by the height of the club’s new shareholder[/caption]
The INEOS chief was pictured deep in conversation with the under-pressure Ten Hag, whom he dwarfed in height.
Photos of the 71-year-old tycoon towering over Ten Hag started doing the rounds on social media on Thursday, sparking many a comment from Red Devils fans.
One wrote: “He’s massive.”
Another said: “Can he play CM though?”
And another said: “Can he play up front?”
One remarked: “Eight feet tall and a great head of hair….. are we about to win the league?”
Another chimed in: “The man certainly has the height to take the club back to its lofty heights.”
Ten Hag is by no means a short man, with the Dutchman standing at just over 5’9.
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GETTYErik ten Hag revealed he’s had lengthy talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe[/caption]
The angle of the photos taken as Ratcliffe stood next to Ten Hag may well have accentuated the Brit’s height, making him look considerably taller than he actually is.
The businessman is understood to be north of 6ft.
Among the fans commenting on the new pics were some who thought Ratcliffe’s association with Manchester United was already beginning to age him.
One said: “Looks like he’s aged 10 years in the past week, welcome!”
‘POSITIVE TALKS’
Billionaire Ratcliffe completed his long and drawn-out acquisition of 25 per cent of the club on Christmas Eve.
Ratcliffe will have control of footballing matters at the club and recently had a long conversation with the under-pressure Ten Hag.
When asked how the talks had gone, Ten Hag said: “Very positive, I have to say.
“We had a long meeting, for many hours we sat together. On many issues we were on the same page, very positive from both sides,
“I can say that it was a very constructive meeting and we’re looking forward to working with each other.”
When pressed to elaborate on the common ground they share, he added: “I think it’s very early and also we have to let it settle down.
“They’re just coming in, introducing themselves, they have good ideas, we have to see what we can integrate.
“We will work in togetherness but after one day you can’t tell that.
“They have given me a few ideas, we have had our debates about strategies and I think we will come together.”
Manchester United will be back in action on Monday night, travelling to the DW Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup third-round tie.