Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s co-owner, has shared a candid assessment of the club’s current squad, hinting that it lacks the quality needed to compete for trophies. Speaking at the America’s Cup in Barcelona last month, Ratcliffe drew a parallel between his ventures in sailing and Formula One to his ambitions for Manchester United, emphasizing the importance of having a team capable of winning big trophies.
In February, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group acquired a minority stake in United for around £1.3 billion, assuming control over football operations. Despite significant summer spending, with over £200 million invested in five new signings, United’s season has started disappointingly. They currently sit in the bottom half of the Premier League, a far cry from their desired goals at the start of the season. With a manager already sacked, United’s season is in turmoil. Reflecting on his experiences with INEOS Britannia, which lost to Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup, Ratcliffe noted that success in elite sports demands quality across every aspect of a team or project.
“You can’t win the America’s Cup unless you arrive with a boat that could win it,” Ratcliffe stated. He drew comparisons to Formula One, adding, “You put Max Verstappen in a Williams, he’s not going to win a championship. With football, it’s the same with the squad.” His comments suggest that Ratcliffe believes United’s current lineup doesn’t meet the standard required for the major silverwares.
The British businessman’s remarks come at a time of change at Old Trafford, as Ruben Amorim prepares to take over as head coach following Erik ten Hag’s recent departure. Ratcliffe’s INEOS team has appointed the Sporting Lisbon boss, who will assume his role after the international break, with interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy overseeing the squad until then. United fans will be eager to see whether the shake-up and Ratcliffe’s commitment to improving the squad’s quality will bring longterm success back to the club.
As United continue their yet another challenging season, Ratcliffe’s words underscore the critical need for a squad that embodies the talent and capability to compete at the highest level, an ambition that INEOS, through their extensive experience across various sports, are determined to bring to Manchester United.
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