Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire businessman and co-owner of Manchester United, has broken his silence on several key issues surrounding the club. In a revealing interview, Ratcliffe spoke candidly about the criticism from fans, his views on former CEO Ed Woodward, and his relationship with the Glazer family, who remain majority owners of the club.
His comments offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of the world’s biggest football clubs and the challenges he faces as he attempts to restore Manchester United to its former glory.
Ratcliffe’s Manchester United Vision
Ratcliffe, the owner of petrochemical giant INEOS, secured a 25% stake in Manchester United in early 2024, giving him control over the club’s football operations. His arrival was met with a mix of excitement and skepticism, as United fans had long been calling for the complete removal of the Glazer family.
Speaking on his first few months in charge, Ratcliffe admitted that the task ahead is far from easy:
“Manchester United is an institution, but it’s also a club that has suffered from years of mismanagement. Fixing this won’t happen overnight. We have to make smart decisions, improve the football structure, and restore the connection between the club and its supporters.”
Ratcliffe emphasized the need for long-term planning and a new footballing philosophy, rather than short-term fixes. He pointed to the successful models at clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool, where smart recruitment and structural stability have led to sustained success.
“We need to be strategic in how we operate. This means having the right people in the right positions, from the manager to the recruitment team. We also need a clear identity on the pitch, something that has been missing for too long.”
Winning Over the United Faithful
Since Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover, United fans have remained divided over the move. Many had hoped for a full takeover that would see the Glazers completely removed, while others welcomed his involvement as a step in the right direction.
Ratcliffe acknowledged the frustration among supporters but urged patience:
“I understand why fans are frustrated. They’ve been through years of disappointment and false promises. But I want to make one thing clear: I didn’t get involved in Manchester United to accept mediocrity. We are here to make the club successful again.”
Despite his assurances, some sections of the fanbase have been vocal in their criticism, particularly about his decision to work alongside the Glazers rather than force them out. Ratcliffe defended his approach, explaining that a full takeover was not immediately possible and that his priority was to improve the footballing side of the club first.
“Of course, in an ideal world, things would be different. But we have to work with the reality we have. The most important thing for me is ensuring that Manchester United is run as a proper football club again, and that process is already underway.”
To gain trust, Ratcliffe knows that actions will speak louder than words. His appointment of experienced football executives, including Omar Berrada as CEO and Jason Wilcox as technical director, signals a clear intent to modernize the club’s operations.
Ed Woodward: A Legacy of Mismanagement
One of the most controversial figures in Manchester United’s recent history is Ed Woodward, the former executive vice-chairman who oversaw a decade of decline following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Ratcliffe did not hold back when discussing Woodward’s tenure, acknowledging that the club was run poorly from a footballing perspective during his time in charge.
“Ed Woodward was a brilliant commercial operator, but football was never his strong suit. The problem was that he was making key football decisions without the right knowledge or structure in place.”
Under Woodward, United spent over £1 billion on players, yet failed to build a consistent, title-challenging team. Ratcliffe pointed to a lack of football expertise at the highest level as one of the main reasons for United’s struggles:
“Clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and even Brighton have football people running football decisions. United didn’t have that under Woodward, and we’re now trying to fix those mistakes.”
While Ratcliffe refrained from completely blaming Woodward for all of United’s problems, he stressed that the club needed to learn from past failures to ensure they do not repeat the same mistakes.
A Complicated Relationship
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Ratcliffe’s involvement at United is his relationship with the Glazers. The American owners have been deeply unpopular among supporters since their leveraged takeover in 2005, which saddled the club with debt.
Ratcliffe admitted that working with the Glazers is not easy, but he insisted that his focus remains on football matters.
“Look, I know how the fans feel about the Glazers, and I understand why. But my role is to improve the football side of the club, and I will do that regardless of ownership politics.”
He revealed that he has had several meetings with Joel and Avram Glazer, discussing the future direction of the club. Despite their differences, Ratcliffe believes that his influence over football operations gives him enough control to make meaningful changes.
“The agreement we have gives us control over football operations, and that’s what matters. If we get the football side right, the rest will follow.”
However, many fans remain skeptical and believe that as long as the Glazers are still involved, United will struggle to compete at the highest level. Ratcliffe acknowledged these concerns but urged fans to judge him by his actions rather than his association with the owners.
So what does the future hold for Manchester United under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s leadership? While his initial impact has been focused on restructuring behind the scenes, he knows that results on the pitch are what truly matter.
Ratcliffe outlined his key priorities for the club moving forward:
- Building a Clear Football Identity – United have lacked a defined playing style for years. Under new leadership, Ratcliffe wants a team that is tactically modern, aggressive, and in line with United’s attacking traditions.
- Improving Recruitment and Squad Planning – United have spent heavily but poorly in recent years. Ratcliffe has already begun revamping the club’s scouting and recruitment departments to ensure that future transfers are more strategic and value-driven.
- Investing in Infrastructure – Old Trafford and the Carrington training ground have fallen behind their rivals. Plans are in motion for stadium redevelopment, and Ratcliffe has vowed to modernize facilities to match the best in Europe.
- Winning Trophies Again – While long-term planning is important, success on the pitch cannot be ignored. Ratcliffe wants Manchester United competing for Premier League and Champions League titles within the next few seasons.
“We want to win, that’s the ultimate goal. But we have to build the right foundations first. If we get the right people, make the right decisions, and create a winning culture, the trophies will come.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at Manchester United has brought cautious optimism. While many fans remain wary of his ties to the Glazers, his early moves suggest a serious attempt to fix the club’s deep-rooted issues.
His honest assessment of fan criticism, Ed Woodward’s legacy, and the challenges of working with the Glazers shows that he understands the complexity of the situation. However, he will ultimately be judged by results on the pitch.
If Ratcliffe can deliver on his promises, restore United’s footballing identity, and bring trophies back to Old Trafford, he may just be the man to finally turn the club’s fortunes around. But for now, the hard work has only just begun.
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