Richard Keys has claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has become worse for Manchester United than the Glazers – suggesting “it’s never been as bad as it is now.”
The Red Devils are on course to register their worst ever Premier League campaign – surpassing the eighth place finish they achieved last season. Ratcliffe arrived last year with huge expectations given the success he and Ineos had enjoyed in other sports.
They also came in to take over the football operations, which had previously been left to the Glazers and those they employed. Optimism had increased but Ratcliffe has endured a horror spell with a host of his decisions proving unpopular and unsuccessful.
Off the pitch staff have been made redundant and ticket prices have increased whilst on the pitch performances have been dire with Erik ten Hag backed and then sacked, Summer signings have failed to deliver and the decision to appoint Ruben Amorim has only seen the team go backwards.
Keys wrote on his blog : “When he turned up to watch his first game Ratcliffe was afforded a hero’s welcome. I understand why. Desperate United fans wanted to believe. Initially they did believe, but it’s all gone horribly wrong hasn’t it?”
“It’s never been as bad as it is now. He’s reduced United to little more than bits and pieces. I’m afraid to say – a laughing stock. I genuinely want to see United back at the top table of English football, but they’re light years from re-joining the best.
“They’ve got a manager who clearly doesn’t want to be there – a cycling expert in charge of football matters and an owner flailing about without a clue what to do next – except sack more good people.”
Keys’ reference to a cycling expert is Sir Dave Brailsford, who was hugely successful in his field, but hasn’t proved so in Manchester. Ratcliffe put together a hierarchy that included Dan Ashworth as soon as he arrived, but the former Newcastle director of football has already been dismissed.
Amorim is yet to receive the help he needs with the club’s financial situation meaning he could bring in just one major signing in the January window. His philosophy isn’t aided by the club’s current squad and Amorim has had to speak about the prospect of relegation.
United have lost eight of their last 12 games in the league – five of those coming at Old Trafford – with anger and frustration being directed at Ratcliffe.
Gary Neville recently said: “From keeping Erik ten Hag to the decision to bring in [former sporting director] Dan Ashworth and then for him to leave, they’re obviously finding it bloody tough. There’s no doubt that there’s been turbulence and wrong decisions made. The club needs a shake. There are a lot of things that need changing.”
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