Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has openly criticized several past transfer decisions, expressing concerns over player quality, excessive wages, and the club’s financial mismanagement. He acknowledged inheriting many of these issues and stressed the need for a strategic overhaul.
In an extensive round of interviews, including one with BBC Sport, the INEOS chief pointed to a series of costly signings that have not yielded the desired results. He specifically mentioned five players – three of whom remain at the club – when addressing past recruitment mistakes.
Referring to the likes of Antony, Casemiro, André Onana, Rasmus Højlund, and Jadon Sancho, Ratcliffe emphasized that these acquisitions were made before his tenure. He noted that Sancho, now at Chelsea on loan, continues to be a financial burden, with United still covering a significant portion of his wages. The billionaire highlighted the long-term challenge of reshaping the squad to reflect the club’s new vision.
Ratcliffe admitted that some players are either not up to the required standard or are earning more than they should, reinforcing the necessity for change. He praised certain key individuals, particularly club captain Bruno Fernandes, whom he described as an exceptional talent integral to United’s future ambitions.
Financial challenges and difficult decisions
Beyond player recruitment, Ratcliffe also addressed the club’s dire financial situation, explaining the rationale behind several controversial cost-cutting measures. These have included job cuts, eliminating free meals for staff, and increasing ticket prices for young and senior fans – decisions that have sparked widespread criticism.
Despite the backlash, he insisted that such actions were crucial to avoid a financial crisis. Ratcliffe revealed that, without intervention, United would have depleted their financial reserves by the end of 2025. Even after injecting $300 million (£232.72m) into the club, he claimed that continuing on the previous trajectory – without making any new signings – would have left United in serious trouble by Christmas.
Acknowledging that these changes have caused unrest among supporters, Ratcliffe maintained that they were necessary to ensure the club’s long-term stability. He stressed that years of financial mismanagement had left United vulnerable and that the only way forward was through tough but essential decisions.
Aiming for future success
Ratcliffe admitted he has become unpopular due to these sweeping changes but remains steadfast in his belief that they are vital to restoring United’s stature. He compared the club’s current struggles to those faced by other football giants, emphasizing the need for resilience during this transition period.
He reaffirmed his commitment to making United competitive once again, drawing inspiration from clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid. According to Ratcliffe, the path to success is not immediate, but through disciplined financial and footballing strategies, the club can regain its position among Europe’s elite.
“Manchester United has lost its way, and our job is to get it back on track,” he concluded. “When things get tough, you have to show determination, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”
