Manchester United’s Ownership Under Sir Jim Ratcliffe: A “Poor Start,” Says Jamie Carragher

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United’s Rocky Road: What Went Wrong?

The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as part-owner of Manchester United in February 2024 was initially met with optimism by fans and pundits alike. Ratcliffe, a billionaire businessman, purchased a minority stake in the club, taking over the football operations from the Glazer family. The Glazers, who have long been unpopular among United supporters, had faced significant protests due to their ownership style, with many fans desperate for change.

However, just months after the INEOS-backed takeover, things at Manchester United seem to be unraveling. The decisions made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team have been heavily scrutinized, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher recently criticized the early stages of Ratcliffe’s tenure, calling it a “poor start.” The scrutiny has intensified with a series of questionable decisions that have raised concerns about the direction in which the club is heading.

In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Jamie Carragher’s harsh critique of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s reign at Manchester United, analyze the decisions that have contributed to the current state of affairs, and assess the club’s future under INEOS’s ownership.

The Departure of Dan Ashworth: A Major Red Flag for Sir Jim Ratcliffe

One of the most striking decisions under Ratcliffe’s ownership was the sacking of sporting director Dan Ashworth, who had only been at the club for five months. Ashworth’s departure has been described as a “poor look” for Manchester United, especially considering the extensive recruitment process the club had gone through to bring him in. The club paid Newcastle United between £2-£3 million to release Ashworth from his gardening leave and bring him to Old Trafford, and just five months later, he was shown the door.

The optics of such a sudden departure are concerning, particularly when viewed in the context of Manchester United’s other recent moves. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to fire Ashworth raises several questions. Was Ashworth simply not up to the task, or were there internal issues that led to his quick exit? Regardless of the reasons, Carragher believes that the decision casts a shadow over Ratcliffe’s reign.

“There’s no denying that the optics are awful,” Carragher said. “From the outside, it doesn’t look good. We might look back in the future and think it was the right decision, but right now, it’s hard to see how it could have gone much worse.”

The sacking of Ashworth is particularly baffling given the extensive efforts Manchester United had made to recruit him in the first place. Ashworth’s reputation as one of the top sporting directors in the Premier League, having previously worked at Brighton and Newcastle, had made him a highly sought-after figure. The club had pursued him for several months, and his eventual hiring was seen as a significant step forward in the footballing operations at Manchester United. To let him go after such a brief period is a sign of instability within the club’s leadership.

The Sacking of Erik ten Hag: Another Costly Decision

If the sacking of Dan Ashworth wasn’t enough, the removal of manager Erik ten Hag also reflects poorly on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s handling of Manchester United’s footballing operations. Ten Hag was appointed in 2022 after a successful stint at Ajax, and while his time at Old Trafford started off rocky, it appeared that he was beginning to find his feet.

In the summer of 2024, Manchester United made a significant financial commitment to backing Ten Hag. They spent around £200 million on new signings to improve the squad, with the hope that these acquisitions would lead to a stronger showing in the Premier League and European competitions. However, just a few months after securing those players, Ten Hag was fired. His exit came as a shock, particularly after the club had recently extended his contract by another year, signaling faith in his leadership.

Carragher has been particularly vocal about the situation, criticizing the lack of consistency and the short-term approach taken by Ratcliffe and INEOS. “They kept the manager they didn’t really want,” he pointed out. “They spent £200 million on his squad, and then they sack him. It’s an awful look. It’s hard to see how anyone could get behind that decision.”

For Manchester United fans, this sudden managerial change has added to the sense of uncertainty surrounding the club. After spending considerable resources to back Ten Hag, his firing seemed like an indication that the new owners were not as committed to long-term stability as previously thought. Furthermore, the timing of the decision raised eyebrows, as the club found itself in the midst of a season where they were struggling to perform.

Financial Strain and Staff Redundancies: The INEOS Impact

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership of Manchester United has also brought financial strains, with the club implementing mass redundancies and increasing ticket prices in the wake of changes within the organization. These measures have not gone unnoticed, and many fans have expressed frustration at the apparent prioritization of financial concerns over footballing success.

As Carragher highlighted, the financial decisions being made under Ratcliffe’s ownership paint a picture of a club under significant pressure. The increasing ticket prices are a clear reflection of the club’s need to generate more revenue, but for supporters, it feels like they are being asked to pay more for a product that is underperforming both on and off the pitch.

Meanwhile, redundancies within the club have raised further concerns about the internal workings at Manchester United. The departures of key staff members have added to the instability, making it unclear who is actually in charge of making important footballing decisions. This lack of clarity has only contributed to the confusion surrounding the club’s direction under its new ownership.

Carragher’s Critique: A Fractured Manchester United

Carragher’s critique of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS is rooted in the belief that Manchester United’s new owners are making the same mistakes as their predecessors. While the Glazer family had long been criticized for their lack of connection to the club and their focus on financial gain, Ratcliffe’s ownership has thus far been marked by instability and confusion.

The failure to provide clear explanations for key decisions, such as the sacking of Ashworth and the removal of Ten Hag, has only fueled speculation about what is really going on behind the scenes. According to Carragher, the club needs to be more transparent about what is happening internally. Instead of offering weak statements and vague explanations, United’s leadership must be honest with the fans, especially given the visible fractures within the organization.

“There’s a fracture here,” Carragher said. “You can’t bring someone like Dan Ashworth in, spend millions of pounds to get him, and then lose him after five months. Something has gone wrong, and the fans deserve to know what it is.”

Gary Neville’s Response: A “Weak” Statement from the Club

Gary Neville, another former Manchester United player and now a prominent pundit, has also weighed in on the situation. Neville described the club’s statement regarding Ashworth’s departure as “weak” and suggested that it would only fuel further speculation about the reasons behind his exit. Neville believes that Manchester United needs to be more transparent in its communication and should stop trying to hide the real issues at the club.

“The statement the club put out was really poor,” Neville said. “Man Utd hasn’t had a voice for the last 10 years. They’ve lost their authority and their boldness. They’ve been getting it back a little bit over the last year, but it’s clear there’s a fracture here.”

Neville also expressed his shock at the speed of Ashworth’s exit, emphasizing how unexpected it was given the club’s long pursuit of him. For Neville, the situation is a clear sign of the underlying dysfunction at Manchester United.

What Lies Ahead for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United?

As Manchester United finds itself in 13th place in the Premier League table after 15 games, the pressure is mounting on Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team. The club’s decision-making, both on and off the pitch, has raised serious questions about their ability to manage the complexities of a world-class football club.

Despite some early optimism surrounding the INEOS takeover, Manchester United’s trajectory under Ratcliffe has been marked by inconsistency and poor decision-making. If things don’t change soon, the club could find itself in a prolonged period of instability that could alienate supporters and prevent Manchester United from regaining its place among Europe’s elite clubs.

The task ahead for Sir Jim Ratcliffe is to restore stability at Manchester United, both on and off the pitch. He must make clear decisions about the club’s future, rebuild relationships with fans, and ensure that the club’s leadership is unified and strong. Only then can Manchester United start to move forward and live up to its potential under the stewardship of INEOS.