A “boy from Manchester and lifelong fan” of United, specifically the richest in the United Kingdom, with a fortune of 17,000 million, will take the sporting reins of the Red Devils to fix a mess that has lasted a decade, since In 2013 they won their last Premier in the season of Sir Alex Ferguson’s goodbye. After negotiating for months with the owners, the Glazers, billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of Ineos, the fourth largest chemical company in the world, agreed to purchase 25% of the club for 1,235 million with the challenge of reviving a team drift.
The illustrious British citizen must have watched with hope this Tuesday as the pupils of the controversial Ten Hag came back from a chaotic duel against Aston Villa at Old Trafford (3-2). After a disappointing first half, where they showed their shame in defense by conceding two goals, the locals showed pride in the second, with Garnacho leading the reaction with two goals.
Boxing Day, a holiday in English football, the date of the first match with rules in 1860, brought joy to the Red Devils. However, Ratcliffe has many duties ahead of him. England’s most successful team is an amalgamation of players resulting from constant poor planning. Six titles in ten seasons, a Europa League (2017), an FA Cup (2016), two League Cups (2017 and 2023) and two Community Shields (2014 and 2017) is the sad balance after spending 1.8 billion on transfers. On the other hand, sales do not reach 500 million in a period to be forgotten, in the shadow of its neighbor cityzen. The extra cost for players of dubious quality with long contracts has been common.
This season Hojlund has arrived for 74 million and goalkeeper Onana for 50 million for an illustrious like De Gea. Last year, the most expensive, for 95 million, was Antony, separated for a few weeks in September when he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman. The same complaint fell on Greenwood, who was suspended and finally loaned to Getafe. The non-sporting problems do not end there, since Sancho, who cost 85 million, is excluded for criticizing Ten Hag on the networks. A powder keg that has led to bad results, outside of Europe and sixth in the Premier.
The names of the culprits, according to the fans, have long appeared on the banners that appear at Old Trafford: “Glazer out.” Fans accuse the American owners, who acquired the club in 2005 for 915 million, of neglecting sports management and focusing on their economic profit. New York businessmen put United up for sale a year ago for 6 billion. They offered 5,000 Qatar and Ratcliffe, who will now have a part of the total, but with control of the men’s team, the women’s team and the quarry. The agreement has meant that the club’s shares have already appreciated.
The new shareholder has already invested, with Ineos, in cycling, in the America’s Cup for sailing, in F-1 and in rugby. Ratcliffe himself, also owner of Nice and Lausanne football clubs, completed the Marathon des Sables in 2013 and has made expeditions to the North and South Poles. The chemical industry magnate arrives with an investment of 330 million to renovate the old Old Trafford, branded a “ruin” by a historian like Gary Neville. Falling ceilings, leaks and the presence of rats are common in the second largest stadium in the country, which will not host the Euro 2028 Championship. The state of the theater of dreams is comparable to the situation of a team living a nightmare. “We want to see United where it belongs, at the top of English, European and world football,” said Ratcliffe, United’s new messiah.