How has Ratcliffe, who is to take over 25% stake in Man Utd, built his empire?

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has finally completed his purchase of a minority stake in Manchester United, bringing the year-long uncertainty over the club's ownership to an end.

The INEOS chief prevailed in a head-to-head battle with a Qatari consortium led by banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani last month but has now finalised the £1.3billion acquisition of 25 per cent of the club.

Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan, had initially lodged a bid for a majority stake in the club, however with no breakthrough in sight, an adjusted offer for a quarter did the trick.

United fans are still hopeful of eventually ridding themselves of the Glazer family, who have owned the Premier League giants since 2005, but must make do with the new arrangement that will hand the petrochemicals billionaire control over football operations at Old Trafford.

Following the momentous announcement, Mail Sport takes a look at the man who has supporters dreaming of a return to glory days.

Ratcliffe is a former chemical engineer, founder and chairman of petrochemicals company INEOS Group. Originally from Failsworth, Oldham, he has an estimated net worth of £16.5bn ($20.5bn), according to Forbes.

His London-based conglomerate has become one of the UK shale sector's largest players by producing a range of products, from synthetic oils and plastics to solvents used to make insulin and antibiotics.

The 71-year-old now sits atop a juggernaut with a reported turnover in excess of £59bn, that has an extensive portfolio of sporting investments.

Their interests include sponsoring the Mercedes Formula One team. INEOS also took over the professional cycling outfit Team Sky, won the Tour de France seven times, with the team now known as the INEOS Grenadiers.

The company also has