In an explosive interview, Sir Jim RatcliffeThe 72-year-old minority owner of Manchester United has sharply criticized the club, calling it “poor” and no more “elite.”
Ratcliffe, who owns a 27.7% stake in the club after spending £1.3 billion, said United “have become mediocre” and are “not meant to be one of the best clubs in football in the world.” He said the club “drifted for a long time, about ten years”.
The petrochemical billionaire cites the “very poor” of the club data analysis And recruitment as major problems, saying United are “still last century when it comes to data analysis” compared to its rivals.
Ratcliffe said the club needed to have the “best recruitment in the world” to regain “elite status”.
Signatures like the £82m spent on Anthony and the £70 million on Casemiro were cited by Ineos as examples of United’s flawed recruitment strategy. Ratcliffe suggested the rebuild would “take years” to repair.
Minority owner’s comments come as United struggle on the pitch, with new manager Ruben Amorim facing a huge task to turn the club around. Ratcliffe warned fans that “major change” was needed for United to regain their elite status.
