British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe struck a long awaited deal on Sunday to buy a 25-percent stake in Manchester United and pledged to invest $300 million in the English Premier League soccer club to try to revive its fortunes. "As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the club," Ratcliffe, 71, said in a statement. Soccer Football - Champions League - Group A - Manchester United v Bayern Munich - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - December 12, 2023. "And, through INEOS Sport, Manchester United will have access to seasoned high-performance professionals, experienced in creating and leading elite teams from both inside and outside the game." "Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football."