Manchester United: Jim Ratcliffe on Tough Decisions and Changes

Jim Ratcliffe explains drastic changes at "Manchester United" and compares tough decisions to political actions.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe expressed that "Manchester United"'s current state mirrors that of the nation's, likening the club to its present efficiency. The Director and co-owner of "United" defends his "unpopular measures," which have spurred discontent among fans.

In the beginning of the year, Ratcliffe became a minority shareholder of the famed Premier League club and made changes at Old Trafford, including ending Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial role and laying off 250 staff members.

The recent policy of cost savings—raising ticket prices to £66 without concessions for children and pensioners—led to protests before the latest game against "Everton." The club stated that this is part of broader measures to strengthen financial sustainability.

Ratcliffe addressed the United We Stand fanzine to explain the club's stance, comparing his "unpopular decisions" to current measures made by the Prime Minister. "In bringing "Manchester United" to where it must be — it’s somewhat like managing a country," he said. "We have to take tough decisions. If we avoid them, little will change. We won't get everything right immediately, yet there's been a lot of change in nine months.

"Work began both at Carrington ("United"'s training complex) and Old Trafford. There has been change to the executive and football structures. New Head Coach Ruben Amorim has arrived."

There remains much to do, and decisions will be difficult. But that's essential for improvement. For a decade, "Manchester United" has lost its elite status. It must be one of the world's top clubs as it was under Sir Alex.

The club aims to regain elite status and significant changes have already been made.

"United" last won the Premier League in 2013 and reported net losses of £113.2 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2024. Ratcliffe points out that "player recruitment hasn't been adequate." "We must economize on every pound to invest in new talents," he stated. "The main focus is on growing income to spend more on player acquisitions. Managing the business efficiently and increasing revenue is essential."