Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Man Utd must fix past mistakes to reclaim glory

Manchester United’s co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has openly criticised the club’s current squad, admitting that some players are “not good enough” while others are “overpaid.”

In an interview with BBC Sport, Ratcliffe pointed to players such as Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Antony, and Jadon Sancho—who are on loan—as part of the club’s inherited challenges. He lamented that United still has outstanding payments for some of these signings, citing a £17 million fee due for Sancho despite the winger now playing for Chelsea.

Ratcliffe, who acquired a 28.94% stake in United for £1.3 billion last year, stated that reshaping the squad will take time. “Some are not good enough, and some are probably overpaid,” he admitted, adding that restructuring the team is essential for future success.

The billionaire remains confident in head coach Ruben Amorim, calling him “an outstanding young manager” who will remain in charge for “a long time.” Despite United’s struggles—currently sitting 14th in the Premier League—Ratcliffe reiterated his ambition to bring silverware to Old Trafford by 2028.

He also addressed financial concerns, revealing that the club was on course to run out of money by the end of 2025 without significant cost-cutting measures. These have included staff layoffs, ticket price increases, and the removal of free meals for employees—moves that have sparked fan protests.

Ratcliffe acknowledged mistakes in his tenure, including backing and then sacking Erik ten Hag, as well as hiring and parting ways with sporting director Dan Ashworth within months. However, he remains optimistic, pledging to transform United into the world’s most profitable club while delivering a “world-class” stadium.

With plans for squad changes in the summer and ongoing financial restructuring, Ratcliffe insists United is on a path back to the top. “Manchester United has come off the rails—we need to get it back on track,” he said.