Since the euphoria of “Not the Glazers” has died down around Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, their popularity among the Man Utd fanbase has plummeted.
That is largely down to some harsh and unpopular decisions they’ve taken since arriving, like mass layoffs and diktats for financial cuts that haven’t gone down well.
Even on the pitch, it hasn’t been smooth sailing, with their decision to extend then fire Erik ten Hag or to hire then fire Dan Ashworth major missteps.
However, it hasn’t been all bad despite the holistic optics, with Andy Mitten pointing out that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is already doing what the fans have demanded from the Glazers for years.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Man...
Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images
Andy Mitten on Sir Jim Ratcliffe-Glazers contrast
Man Utd fans were euphoric at the thought of the Glazers seeking outside investment and when that arrived in the form of a boyhood United fan in Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it was the fairytale scenario.
However, what’s transpired since then has been far from a fairytale, with nightmare being the more apt description.
The new regime has become the evil face of the decisions that have been forced upon them due to Glazers’ financial mismanagement.
Still, they’ve made some good decisions as well for the future of this team but Andy Mitten, speaking on the United We Stand YouTube channel, said the most appreciable step is Sir Jim Ratcliffe finally listening to fans’ major demand.
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He said: “For 20-odd years, we’ve criticised the Glazers for not communicating so it’s good that Ratcliffe did communicate and he will do in the future as well.
“I interviewed Sir Jim Ratcliffe in November just for some explanation and to be fair, he did meet me and give some explanation. We agreed and we disagreed on stuff but that is communication.
“There were no changes there (to the final article), there was no copy approval, nobody said you can ask this, can’t ask that.”
Man Utd have a bumpy road ahead
Just like Ruben Amorim has called for a “shock” to the players on the pitch, Ineos have arrived determined to shock it off the pitch.
That kind of upheaval will always cause chaos at the beginning before things hopefully begin to streamline.
Glazers had sucked the club dry during their sole ownership years and that’s a hole any club would find it difficult to climb out of.
It can even be argued that any other club would have gone bankrupt and into administration that didn’t have United’s fanbase and commercial pedigree.
It’s good that Ineos are at least engaging with the fans because uncomfortable conversations have long been avoided at the football club.