Sir Jim Ratcliffe visited Old Trafford for the first time since his takeover Credit: Zenpix

The billionaire businessman spent two hours at Old Trafford Credit: Zenpix

Ratcliffe was all smiles after his trip to the Theatre of Dreams Credit: Zenpix

But he will have to get used to the pouring rain Credit: Zenpix

When offered a welcome and asked what he thought about the torrential rain, he laughed and said: “I’ll have to get used to it!”

Ratcliffe first walked into the main entrance smiling protected from the Manchester rain by a security guard wielding an umbrella.

The Ineos boss, who agreed a deal on Christmas Eve to take a 25 per cent share in the club and to take control of football operations, met with key United staff including interim CEO Patrick Stewart and Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche.

The group – which didn’t include any members of the Glazer family – took a working lunch and spent time discussing initial ideas to improve United’s fortunes on the pitch.

Sir Jim and his Ineos team can’t have an active role in running United until the deal is ratified next month.

He must first pass the Premier League’s fit and proper person test and his acquisition of Class-A shares is approved by the New York Stock Exchange.

But Ratcliffe’s team will continue meetings at United’s Carrington training base on Wednesday where he may meet under fire manager Erik ten Hag.

Ratcliffe’s right hand man Sir Dave Brailsford – also sporting director at chemical company Ineos – met Ten Hag at Carrington on Sunday.

Brailsford has also watched United’s last two games from the stands and was guided around Carrington by United’s interim chief executive Patrick Stewart and football director John Murtough.

Ineos chief exec Jean-Claude Blanc is expected to take over as United CEO and Brailsford could appoint a new football director.

But Stewart and Murtough are still expected to have roles in the new set-up.

Ten Hag’s future, though, remains in doubt with SunSport revealing Ratcliffe has lined up ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter as a replacement.

United sit seventh in the league with only one win in their last five.

But at the end of December, Ten Hag did speak out to insist he will be given a chance under United’s new ownership.

He said: “They want to work with me, I want to work with them, we will have the conversations, the meetings, we will see.”

The Dutchman was recently pictured spending New Year in Barcelona with his family.

But he looks to return in time for crunch talks with his new boss.

Erik ten Hag is set for talks with Ratcliffe Credit: Getty

Ratcliffe on Christmas Eve saw his 25 per cent takeover confirmed Credit: Zenpix

Ratcliffe flew into Manchester by private jet before arriving at 3pm Credit: Zenpix

Ratcliffe was all smiles as he arrived at the Theatre of Dreams Credit: Zenpix

The chemical engineer mogul was greeted upon arrival Credit: Zenpix