Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been criticised for a series of controversial decisions at Manchester United but an ex-Red Devils star says the billionaire is right not to shy away from 'making big decisions'
12:43, 17 Dec 2024
Sir Jim Ratcliffe during Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Manchester United's controversial co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe(Image: PA)
Wes Brown has backed the leadership of Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe has come under fire since purchasing a stake in United at the start of 2024, following a number of controversial decisions. The billionaire has sacked a raft a staff as part of cost-cutting measures, which have included ditching managerial legend Sir Alex Ferguson as an ambassador.
Ratcliffe was reluctant to sack Erik ten Hag and got accused of dithering, while his decision to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director blew up in his face when Ashworth left Old Trafford last week after just five months in the job. Ratcliffe is facing another big call when it comes to the future of Marcus Rashford.
The England star has been axed from Ruben Amorim's squad due to concerns about his attitude, and United must decide whether to not to sell him in the next transfer window. But former United star Brown remains confident Ratcliffe will help the fallen giants become a force in football once again.
Brown told 10bet: "Obviously, since Jim has come into the club there have been a lot of changes. We know that a lot of people have left, you just hope that he can bring the same level of success that he’s had as a businessman to the football club.
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"I think we can all see that there is a plan and what he's building towards. I'm confident that when everything comes together, it will all work out.
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"He hasn't shied away from making big decisions, and I like that. It's very early doors in his tenure, and at United, we haven't really known a period where so much has changed.
"But that is typically what happens when there is a new owner, or a new partnership. You have to let Jim do what he thinks is best for the club. It's something that we're definitely not used to, but I have every faith that he will get it right."