Sir Jim Ratcliffe will run the London Marathon – then race across the capital for Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final.

The 71-year-old, who took a 25 per cent stake in his boyhood club at the turn of the year, is aiming to beat his personal best of four hours and 32 minutes.

And with United taking on Coventry in a 3.30pm kick-off, he will head straight from the finishing line at The Mall to Wembley Stadium.

The elite men's runners go off at 10am, with the rest of the group following behind. 

Ratcliffe, likely to start at around 10.30am, is known as a keen athlete who enjoys a challenge - and will be racing against the clock twice in one day.

Mail Sport understands that the petrochemical billionaire's aim is to get to the arch in time for the second-half of a game in which victory for United would set up a second Manchester derby final in a row after rivals City's late 1-0 win over Chelsea yesterday at the same venue. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is running the London Marathon on Sunday before dashing across to Wembley for Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City

On a clear run, it would take around 35 minutes to drive the 12.1 miles from the shadows of Buckingham Palace to the famous arch.

Ratcliffe is expected to be joined by United's majority owners Joel and Avram Glazer at Wembley. 

The Americans have been spotted in London in recent days and are due to be at a United match for the first time since Ratcliffe's investment was ratified.