Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of Manchester United, claims that if he were to experience the same kind of “abused” treatment from supporters as the Glazer family, he would quit the team.
Last year, the 72-year-old paid £1.3 billion for a 28.94% share in the team, which resulted in his business, Ineos, taking over football operations.
External Ratcliffe stated that he “does not mind being disliked” in an interview with the Sunday Times.
Up to 200 employees will lose their jobs as a result of the club’s second wave of layoffs, which was confirmed last month. This is on top of the 250 employees who left last year.
Additionally, certain ticket costs have increased in the middle of the season, impacting both seniors and children under the age of sixteen.
Ratcliffe said that some Manchester United players are “not good enough” and “overpaid” and that the team had been in danger of going bankrupt when he spoke to the BBC today.
Ratcliffe revealed plans on Tuesday to construct a brand-new stadium that can hold 100,000 people for £2 billion.
Through a leveraged acquisition, the unpopular Glazer family acquired the club in 2005 and kept the majority of the shares.
Ratcliffe remarked, “I mean, I can put up with that for a while,” “I understand that no one likes Manchester United where they are, and no one likes the choices we are currently facing, therefore I do not mind being unpopular.
“I can tolerate that if I provoke some ire. However, I am just like everyone else. It is not pleasant, especially for family and friends.
Eventually, I would have to tell the Glazer family, “Look, enough is enough, people. Let someone else do this,” if the abuse had gotten to that point.
“The Glazers are not really able to compete. Now that they have somewhat withdrawn into the shadows, I am being singled out.
“I have not seen them since we bought in. “Thank you, Jim, you are doing a really fantastic job,” is the message.
“I do not have security right now, so I do not have to behave that way. However, would not that defeat the purpose? It simply would not be enjoyable to put up with it at that level.
Many supporters hailed the advent of a boyhood fan and billionaire to help bring back the club’s past glory when Ratcliffe and Ineos joined the Old Trafford leadership.
But after a year, the rapport with certain fans has deteriorated.
The club’s cost-cutting tactics, like as eliminating free meals for employees, have drawn criticism. Last weekend, supporters staged a demonstration against United’s ownership.
At the demonstration, banners reading “we want our club back” and “£1bn stolen,” which refers to the sum of money spent on paying off the debt incurred by United when the Glazer family purchased the team in 2005, were on show.
With £300 million in unpaid transfer fees included, United’s current debt total exceeds £1 billion. They spent £37 million in interest on the loan during the most recent fiscal year.
