British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has agreed a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United for around £1.25 billion, it was announced on Sunday.
As far as timing goes the announcement, made on a Sunday – Christmas Eve – seemed a little strange, although when taken in the wider context of how the club have handled the saga since the Glazer family announced they were considering "strategic alternatives" 13 months ago, it was pretty much par for the course.
For some United fans, Christmas came early with the news of Ineos' imminent investment. Others feel like they've woken up on the big day to find a lump of coal in their stocking at the thought of the Glazers still owning a majority of the club.
We take a look at five jobs in Ratcliffe's in-tray.
Upgrade Old Trafford
As part of the deal, Ineos will take over all football operations at the club, providing $300 million intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.
One of the largest (74,310 capacity) and most famous stadiums in the world has fallen behind its competitors with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham upgrading their existing grounds and Everton set to move to a new home at the start of the 2025/26 season.
The cost to redevelop Tottenham's old White Hart Lane ground into the behemoth it is now cost in excess of £1 billion.
The investment has paid off and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is widely regarded as one of the best anywhere in world football.
The Glazers bought United for £790 million ($1.47 billion at the time) in 2005, loading the 20-time English champions with debt.
Which begs the question as to whether the $300 million budgeted to upgrade Old Trafford, though a princely sum, will be anywhere near enough.
For a club already saddled with massive debt – despite United predicting record revenue of £640 million for the 2022/23 season – the thought of taking on more of it, especially with the Glazers still in situ, will not sit well with supporters.
Sort out Ten Hag's future
The National's Andy Mitten described United's performance during Saturday's 2-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham as "awful" and that United had become a team "boring to watch".
It was United's 13th defeat of the season, half of all their matches. It is the club's worst start to a season since 1930 and they are already out of Europe and the Carabao Cup. They are eighth in the Premier League table, six points off fourth-placed Tottenham and 12 behind leaders Arsenal
And while there is credit in the bank after delivering a first trophy to Old Trafford in almost six years last season, there is now a nagging sense that manager Erik ten Hag is losing the support of the Old Trafford faithful.
The Dutchman has spent almost £400 million in three transfer windows since joining from Ajax in the summer of 2022 but there is no real sense of identity in this United team.
Injuries have been an issue, but Ten Hag's tactics have often looked confused and, in some cases, negative, not something likely to please the Ineos brain trust tasked with restoring the club to its former glories.
Ten Hag has a contract to June 2025, but unless results and performances improve Ineos will be inclined to find a replacement.
January transfer window
United say the deal with Ineos will take until February to complete, meaning any players signed in next month's winter transfer window will have to come from the club's existing budget.
The 20-time English champions have never been shy about spending money on transfers, all funded by revenue generated by the business rather than investment from the Glazers. Almost £2 billion has been spent on players since the American family took control of the club in 2005, the third most in Europe.
Ten Hag's record in the transfer market has been mixed at best, and January is a notoriously tricky window to bring in new players.
His best signing, Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez, is still working his way back from a long-term injury and Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, his most expensive summer recruit, has yet to score in the Premier League.
Both represent areas of the squad in need of bolstering, though a chronic lack of creativity in midfield has hardly helped. Injuries and lack of form has seen Ten Hag deploy 18 different defensive combinations while United have scored only 33 goals in 26 games in total this season and none in their past five. Andre Onana, the Cameroon goalkeeper brought in as a supposed upgrade on David de Gea because of his superior ability in passing the ball, has had a nightmare start to life in England.
United have already said they don't expect to do significant business in January. Whether Ratcliffe has any sway – direct or indirect – on the club's transfer policy before his deal is signed off remains to be seen.
West Ham 2 Man United 0 - player ratings
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
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