Micah Richards and Alan Shearer pulled no punches towards Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos over their management approach at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his minority stake purchase of Manchester United in December 2023 and Ineos took control of football operations at Old Trafford.
The 72-year-old British billionaire’s arrival was welcomed by some United fans amid Ineos taking control of the football side of things away from the Glazers.
Ratcliffe has wasted no time implementing different changes at the Premier League club in 2024, including revamping the Red Devils’ hierarchy behind the scenes.
The likes of Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox arrived at Old Trafford and took up their respective positions of chief executive officer and technical director.
But Ratcliffe’s reign hasn’t come without its controversy and Ineos have been placed under the spotlight with their questionable decisions over the last few months.
United revealed during the current 2024-25 campaign that Sir Alex Ferguson would be axed from his ambassadorial contract at the end of the Premier League season.
Ratcliffe and Ineos were also left red-faced with their decision to sack Erik ten Hag in October, despite handing the ex-United boss a contract extension in the summer.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe at OId Trafford ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on November 10, 20...
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Richards on Ineos and Ratcliffe at Man Utd
Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced further criticism after Dan Ashworth left his role as Manchester United sporting director after only five months.
Dan Ashworth was linked with United after Ineos’ arrival and the Red Devils had to agree to a £5m compensation fee with Newcastle to bring him to Old Trafford.
The former United sporting director left the club on Sunday after the Red Devils’ 3-2 Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Ratcliffe has also been slammed by United fans for the price rise on matchday tickets for the Red Devils, which are now being charged at £66 per fixture.
When asked if Ineos has shown any clear strategy at United, Micah Richards said on The Rest Is Football: “We have to say no. We have to say no.
“Of course, there will be a strategy, those people are not successful and they don’t get to that place without having strategies.
“Of course, they’ll have a strategy, they’ve just not implemented it successfully and there have been many things that have been dealt with badly.
“We know it’s difficult because it’s Man Utd and everything is scrutinised… but too many decisions have leaked out of the club and they’re looking really amateurish at this moment in time.”
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Shearer reacts to Ashworth’s Man Utd exit
Dan Ashworth, who has now been linked with Arsenal, was placed on gardening leave in February at Newcastle after he revealed his desire to move to United.
The Old Trafford exit of a high-profile figure like Ashworth was slammed by Alan Shearer, who said it was a “pretty bloody embarrassing” situation for Ineos.
“It’s not a good look at all for them, is it? It’s pretty bloody embarrassing with what’s gone on with Dan Ashworth leaving,” Shearer added.
“Decisions that have happened since they have been there, in terms of the money that they have spent and the decisions that have made with Ten Hag, extending his contract, sacking him, paying him off, giving him the players they got in the summer and then getting rid of him.
“Putting Dan Ashworth on gardening leave, getting him out of Newcastle, paying compensation for him and then getting rid of him after five months.
“It’s laughable, really, it’s such a terrible look. I don’t know, it’s not a good look at all.”
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