Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year as Manchester United part-owner has been nothing short of dramatic.
The club faces severe challenges on and off the pitch. Moreover, the fallout has stirred heated debates among supporters and pundits alike. In addition, the crisis has exposed deep-rooted issues that extend well beyond matchday results.
Ratcliffe took charge of football affairs in February 2024, and his tenure has already seen two transfer windows, a managerial overhaul, and plenty of backstage drama. Meanwhile, head coach Ruben Amorim has struggled to turn the tide. He even labeled his side as the worst in United’s history after a home defeat to Brighton. Clearly, on-field failures have intensified the mounting pressure.
Furthermore, Amorim has overseen a significant redundancy push that has rattled the club’s infrastructure. The latest round of cuts might cost more than 100 jobs, though the overall figure is expected to remain below 200. Additionally, staff morale dipped during the summer pre-season tour of the United States, which has only added to the overall discontent among the club’s workforce.
Financial Fair Play restrictions have also tightened the screws on United’s transfer business. Consequently, no squad member remains safe from a potential sale. For instance, academy graduate Marcus Rashford left on loan at the end of the winter window, joining Aston Villa. Amorim stated, “I couldn’t get Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football,” emphasizing the challenges in adapting his style to each player.
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Off the pitch, discontent has boiled over among the fans. Ticket concession pricing was scrapped, triggering protests from supporters of Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton, and Liverpool. In one striking moment, chants of “Just like the Glazers, Jim Ratcliffe’s a c**t” echoed during a Fulham match, even in the presence of Ratcliffe himself. Therefore, fan dissatisfaction continues to compound the club’s crisis.
On the field, the results have been equally dismal. United have lost 11 league games under the combined management of Amorim and Erik ten Hag, a record that surpasses any season under Sir Alex Ferguson. Moreover, recent signings have not met expectations. Former United favorite Paul Scholes criticized Lisandro Martinez, who now faces an injury that sidelines him for the rest of the season. Consequently, such remarks have fueled further controversy.
In addition, United’s recruitment and sales strategies have drawn significant scrutiny. Scott McTominay has excelled since moving to Napoli, while Antony has made an impressive start at Real Betis. Furthermore, Jadon Sancho has shown glimpses of quality on loan at Chelsea. The summer arrival of Dan Ashworth as sporting director promised a fresh start; however, he was dismissed after only 159 days. Meanwhile, Patrick Dorgu’s move from Lecce failed to bolster the attack, as evidenced by the recent home defeat to Crystal Palace.
Finally, Amorim’s stark comments about the club’s position have raised fresh fears of potential relegation. Although United sit 12 points clear of the bottom three, they remain alarmingly close to that zone. Amorim admitted, “It is impossible to feel any type of comfort,” and stressed the urgent need to win. As the team prepares for a crucial North London clash, fans hope a victory might signal the start of much-needed change.
