Sir Jim Ratcliffe Slams Manchester United Squad: “Not Good Enough” and “Overpaid”

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not held back in his latest assessment of the club’s squad, admitting that some players are simply “not good enough” and “probably overpaid.” His blunt remarks come as United endure one of their worst seasons in decades, sitting a disappointing 14th in the Premier League table.

Ratcliffe, whose INEOS group now controls football operations at Old Trafford, has taken a hands-on approach since acquiring a minority stake in the club earlier this year. While he acknowledged the scale of the task ahead, the British billionaire made it clear that significant changes are needed.

“There are some great players, like Bruno Fernandes, but we need to transition from the past to the future. We have players who are not good enough and, in some cases, are probably overpaid. The squad needs to be in a better place, and that will take time.” – Ratcliffe

A Season to Forget

United’s struggles this season have been well-documented. A combination of inconsistent performances, injuries, and off-the-field turmoil has left the club floundering in mid-table, far from the Champions League spots they expect to compete for. Key players such as Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro have missed significant portions of the campaign, exposing the squad’s lack of depth and quality.

Despite the challenges, Ratcliffe expressed confidence in manager Ruben Amorim, who took charge earlier this season. “Ruben is an outstanding young manager,” Ratcliffe said. “He has had to deal with difficult circumstances, but he’s someone we believe in for the long term.”

Last Chance for Silverware

With their Premier League campaign all but written off, United’s focus now shifts to the Europa League—their last realistic shot at salvaging the season. They face Real Sociedad in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday, knowing that progression is crucial not only for silverware but also for securing a Champions League place next season.

Failure to win the competition would leave United at serious risk of missing out on European football for the first time since the 2014-15 season—a scenario that would further highlight the club’s decline and make summer recruitment even more challenging.

Ratcliffe’s comments suggest that a major squad overhaul could be on the horizon, with underperforming players likely to be moved on. With INEOS now at the helm, Manchester United fans will hope that this marks the beginning of a new era—one where accountability, ambition, and success return to Old Trafford.