All the latest Manchester United new and transfer gossip as Sir Jim Ratcliffe gears up for a busy summer
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken the bull by the horns since acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United. Just over a year ago, the 72-year-old bought 25 per cent of the club’s class B shares and 25 per cent of the club’s class A shares, enabling him to take control of football operations.
After taking the helm at Old Trafford, Ratcliffe vowed to lead United back to the ‘the very top of English, European and world football’. While Red Devils managed to win the FA Cup shortly after his arrival, they’ve continued to struggle in the Premier League.
United are currently 13th and, unless they win the Europa League, Ruben Amorim’s side look set to be without European football next season. With lots of work still to be done, on and off the pitch, Ratcliffe will be expected to splash the cash this summer.
But, it remains to be seen how much the British billionaire will set aside for new signings. So, with that being said, the Manchester Evening News has rounded up what Ratcliffe has previously said about United and his future plans.
‘United must learn to walk before they can run’
Speaking to the BBC after acquiring a stake in United, the INEOS chairman outlined the challenges of his long-term vision. Ratcliffe said: “It has clearly been a difficult 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill retired. It’s not switching a light switch. It’s not just a simple short-term fix.
“We have to walk to the right solution, not run to the wrong one. The short-term issue is we want to get into the Champions League. It’s a two-to-three-season challenge to get the organisation and environment right, to get the performances on the field right and win football matches. That involves the design and structure of the organisation being correct.
“In the last 11 years, Manchester United have had a lot of coaches and nobody has been very successful in that environment. That says to me there is something wrong with the environment. It is not constructive for me to blame anyone, it’s just a fact. My focus is on how I change that environment to get the best out of the coach and squad.”
Ratcliffe slams ‘mediocre’ United
In an interview with the United We Stand in December 2024, Ratcliffe branded United as ‘mediocre’. As quoted by the MailOnline, he said: “The club has drifted for a long period of time, a decade or so. Manchester United has become mediocre.
“It’s not elite and it is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. That’s what it used to be under Alex. There is major change to come to achieve elite status. But already there has been huge change at this club.”
Ratcliffe added: “Until were are as good as anyone in the world, then it’s not good enough for Manchester United. We must have the best recruitment in the world. Data analysis comes alongside recruitment. It doesn’t really exist here. We’re still in the last century on data analysis here.”
Ratcliffe explains United transfer strategy
Speaking to Geraint Thomas on the ‘Cycling Club’ podcast last year, Ratcliffe raised eyebrows when he explicitly ruled out a move for a player of Jude Bellingham’s calibre. The British billionaire said: “He’s a great footballer but that’s not where our focus is. The solution isn’t spending a lot of money on a couple great players.
“They have done that if you look at the last 10 years, they have spent a lot of money. The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes who are managing and organising the club and make sure we get recruitment right. That’s such a vital part of running a football club, getting that right.”
The United co-owner added: “I would rather find the next Mbappe. Rather than spend a fortune to buy success. It’s not that clever to go and sign Mbappe, anyone could figure that one out. What’s more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, the next Bellingham, the next Roy Keane.”
Ratcliffe slams previous United transfer dealings
In a recent interview with BBC Sport, Ratcliffe questioned the signing of Jadon Sancho, among other United players. He said: “If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho.
“These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out. For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17m to buy him in the summer. It takes time for us to move away from the past into a new place in the future.”
Ratcliffe announces new stadium plans
Earlier this month, United announced its plans to build a new 100,000-seater stadium as part of a wider regeneration of the Old Trafford area. The club have claimed the project will significantly boost the UK economy, create thousands of jobs and build 17,000 homes.
Speaking to club media, Ratcliffe outlined his ambitions: “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for these past 115 years, but that has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience, only footsteps from our historic home.
“Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment, not just during the construction phase, but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete.
“The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.”
2025-03-21 19:30:00
