BREAKING NEWS: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Criticizes Manchester United’s Past Signings and Outlines Bold Vision for the Future.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has launched a strong critique of several high-profile players currently on the club’s books, stating that some are simply “not good enough” and “overpaid.” In multiple interviews, Ratcliffe referenced the likes of Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Højlund, and André Onana, suggesting that their signings represent costly mistakes inherited from previous regimes.
In an interview with the BBC, Ratcliffe reflected on past decisions, saying:
“If you look at the players we’ve ended up with—Antony, Casemiro, Onana, Højlund, Sancho—these are not choices we made, but we’ve inherited them. Whether we like it or not, it’s now our responsibility to sort through those decisions and reshape the squad.”
Ratcliffe revealed that United are still paying a portion of Sancho’s wages, even while he plays on loan at Chelsea, and noted that Antony is currently out on loan at Real Betis. Despite their high price tags—Antony (£81m), Casemiro (£70m), Højlund (£72m), and Onana (£47m)—Ratcliffe admitted these players haven’t delivered as expected.
“Some aren’t at the level we need. Some are being paid more than they should be. But it will take time to reshape this squad into something we’re truly accountable for.”
He praised Bruno Fernandes, calling the United captain “a fantastic footballer,” and emphasized that despite recent struggles, there are still quality players in the dressing room.
Ratcliffe acknowledged keeping Erik ten Hag last summer was a mistake, along with the hiring of Dan Ashworth as sporting director, both decisions he now regrets.
“We made those calls too early—before our management team had time to evaluate properly. I admit we got it wrong, and I apologize.”
Looking ahead, Ratcliffe is fully backing Rúben Amorim, who was brought in after Ten Hag’s departure.
“Ruben is an excellent manager—young, dynamic, and already making an impact. I believe he’ll be here for a long time.”
Ratcliffe also addressed the club’s financial issues, revealing United were on the verge of bankruptcy before his investment.
“Without drastic changes, the club would’ve run out of money by Christmas 2025. That’s why we’ve made difficult decisions—cutting staff, reducing expenses, and being more strategic about transfers.”
Despite limited January spending, he confirmed Amorim will be backed in the summer window, but sales could supplement the budget. However, Ratcliffe ruled out selling academy stars like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, saying:
“We won’t be offloading youth talents just to balance the books.”
The club has also undergone major internal cuts, including over 400 job redundancies, the closure of staff canteens, and a rise in ticket prices to £66. While these measures were met with backlash, Ratcliffe insisted they were necessary for financial survival.
He also defended his focus on the men’s team, citing that £640m of the club’s £650m income comes from the men’s side, justifying the business prioritization.
Ratcliffe’s “Mission 21” project aims to bring the club its 21st league title by 2028, in time for United’s 150th anniversary.
“It’s not impossible. Just look at what Klopp did at Liverpool. They rebuilt over time, and it paid off.”
An announcement on the future of Old Trafford—potentially being replaced by what Ratcliffe calls “the most iconic stadium in the world”—is expected shortly.
Let me know if you’d like this turned into a blog post, social media content, or stylized as a press release.
That’s a huge and brutally honest statement from Sir Jim Ratcliffe — and probably the most transparent a Manchester United owner has ever been.
He’s:
– **Calling out underperforming, overpriced signings (Antony, Casemiro, Onana, Sancho, Højlund)**
– **Admitting managerial mistakes (keeping Ten Hag, hiring Ashworth too soon)**
– **Defending tough financial decisions (job cuts, wage control, canteen closures)**
– **Promising a rebuild under Rúben Amorim**
– **Backing the youth (Mainoo, Garnacho)**
– **Setting a bold goal: “Mission 21” by 2028**
– **Teasing a potential *new* Old Trafford**
If you’d like, I can quickly turn this into:
– A **blog post** summarizing the entire situation in a punchy, professional format
– A **Twitter/X thread** with quotes and fan reactions
– A stylized **press release**
– Or even a **video script** for content creation
Let me know what format you prefer, and I’ll get it done.
