Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has delivered a scathing critique of the club’s performance and several of its players, labeling some as “not good enough” and “probably overpaid.” Ratcliffe, who assumed control of football operations in February of the previous year, expressed his frustration with the team’s dismal start under his leadership, pointing to players like Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, and Antony as sources of his discontent. He specifically highlighted the financial burden of inherited transfer fee installments for these players, particularly Sancho, who is currently on loan at Chelsea with United covering half his wages despite a substantial initial investment. Ratcliffe acknowledged the need to reshape the squad but emphasized that creating a team they are fully responsible and accountable for would take time.
Ratcliffe’s tenure has been marked by turbulent decisions, including the initial retention of manager Erik ten Hag, which he later admitted was a mistake, along with the appointment of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, a role Ashworth vacated after only five months. Ten Hag was subsequently sacked and replaced by Ruben Amorim. Despite inheriting a challenging situation and the current league position of 14th, Ratcliffe expressed confidence in Amorim’s abilities, describing him as an “outstanding young manager” who would be at the club for a long time. He backed Amorim’s decision to loan out Marcus Rashford, emphasizing the manager’s desire for a dressing room filled with fully committed players.
Ratcliffe’s comments coincided with fan protests against the club’s ownership, fueled by a mid-season ticket price hike and further anticipated staff redundancies following previous job cuts. While acknowledging the “unpleasant” nature of these cost-cutting measures, Ratcliffe defended them as necessary to avoid financial insolvency, asserting that his sole objective is to restore Manchester United to its former glory. He reiterated his commitment to providing Amorim with funds for squad improvements in the upcoming transfer window.
The backdrop to Ratcliffe’s pronouncements is a club grappling with a legacy of underperformance. Manchester United’s last Premier League title came in 2013, marking the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s illustrious reign. Since then, the club has struggled to reclaim its dominant position, with the gap between them and top contenders like Liverpool widening significantly. Despite the formidable challenge, Ratcliffe maintained his ambitious target of winning the Premier League by 2028, coinciding with the club’s 150th anniversary, believing it is “not impossible.”
Ratcliffe’s assessment of the squad and his candid admission of past errors underscore the magnitude of the task he faces in revitalizing Manchester United. His comments about overpaid and underperforming players highlight a need for significant squad restructuring and a change in mentality. The challenge extends beyond personnel changes, encompassing a need to rebuild the club’s culture and restore the winning mentality that characterized the Ferguson era. His backing of Amorim suggests a long-term vision, but the immediate future remains uncertain, with the club facing significant financial constraints and fan discontent.
The road to recovery for Manchester United is paved with obstacles. The club needs to navigate financial challenges, address fan concerns, and rebuild a winning team. Ratcliffe’s willingness to acknowledge past mistakes and his commitment to investing in the squad offer a glimmer of hope. However, the scale of the challenge is immense, and whether Ratcliffe and Amorim can deliver on their ambitious goals remains to be seen. The club’s 150th anniversary in 2028 looms large as a symbolic target, representing not just a potential title win, but the restoration of Manchester United to its rightful place among football’s elite.
