Ratcliffe Slams Ten Hag’s Manchester United Regime: "Too Much" and "Doing Badly"
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United, has given his brutal assessment of Erik Ten Hag’s time at the club. Since acquiring a 25% stake in United and taking control of the football operations in December 2023, Ratcliffe has been vocal about his expectations from the team. Unfortunately, United’s underwhelming performances have left much to be desired.
In an interview with The Times, Ratcliffe pointed out that Ten Hag was "doing too much" and got bogged down in trying to solve everything at once. "He was trying to sort out the squad and fix leaks in the roof at the same time," Ratcliffe said. The INEOS chairman echoed the sentiments of many United fans, who feel that the team needs a clear direction and focus.
Manchester United has been struggling for form since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and the departure of managing director David Gill in 2013. Ratcliffe put it bluntly, stating that it’s been a "big responsibility to return the club to where it should be". He expects United to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League trophies, and anything less would be unacceptable.
Ratcliffe emphasized the enormity of the task ahead. "Manchester United has the biggest fanbase of any football club in the world, probably the biggest of any sports team in the world. They say about 10 or 12 percent of the planet are either Manchester United fans or sympathisers, which is getting close to a billion people. It’s a colossal enterprise."
United’s recent defeats, including a penalty shootout loss to Manchester City in the Community Shield match, have added to the growing frustration. Ratcliffe’s comments signal a shift in the club’s approach under his leadership. It’s clear that drastic changes are needed to restore United to its former glory.
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