download All Football App

Kasper Schmeichel hails Sir Jim Ratcliff's 'massive ambitions' for Man United

  /  autty

Kasper Schmeichel has heaped praise on Sir Jim Ratcliffe and backed him for success at Manchester United.

The British billionaire's £1.3bn deal to buy 25 per cent of the Old Trafford club is nearing completion after a long-winded sale process that began in November 2022.

It could be ratified imminently, with Ratcliffe - who also owns French side Nice and Swiss outfit FC Lausanne-Sport - expected to take control of footballing matters at Old Trafford.

Schmeichel spent last season with Nice after joining from Leicester, but endured a difficult campaign and saw his contract terminated by mutual consent this summer after he made 46 appearances in all competitions.

But, despite his tough spell in France, the 37-year-old gave an insight to United fans as to what to expect with Ratcliffe and hailed the Ineos chief.

'It was a difficult year (at Nice),' Schmeichel told Sky Sports. 'But without Jim, without Dave Brailsford (Ineos Director of Sport) and Josh Thompson I wouldn't have been able to get through it.

'They were incredible, so supportive. I know first hand they have massive ambitions for Man United if they are to get it.

'And I haven't seen any venture they've turned their hands to and not been successful.

'I think it's just important that Man United fans give them time.'

In a wide-ranging interview, Schmeichel also discussed how he never wanted to leave Leicester in the summer of 2022, while he also gave further insight into his difficult spell with Nice.

He added: 'It started (to go wrong) on day 1 to be honest. It was made very clear to me on my first day that I wasn't the future of the club.

'I was told that by certain people within the club I wasn't the future having just signed a three-year contract.

'It kind of stopped me in my tracks in terms of settling down, buying a home and all of this that we were going to do and then to get that kind of message early doors was surprising and not something I've tried before.'

Schmeichel has since moved onto Anderlecht in Belgium, but he will always be remembered for his 10-year stint at Leicester.

The Dane racked up 479 appearances for the Foxes and was a crucial part of the Claudio Ranieri's team as they won the Premier League against all odds in 2015-16.

Schmeichel - who is still his country's No 1 and will hope to keep that spot for next summer's Euro 2024 - also won the FA Cup, Community Shield and Championship title at the King Power Stadium.