Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains hopeful of securing a Premier League title by 2028 despite the club's ongoing struggles. Chief Executive Omar Berrada initially announced this ambition upon his arrival at Old Trafford last summer as part of the club's 150th-anniversary celebrations.
However, with the club grappling with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, high levels of debt, and on-field difficulties, reality has reportedly set in. The board is said to have acknowledged that manager Ruben Amorim is operating under challenging circumstances. Despite only achieving five wins in 17 Premier League matches, there is an understanding that the poor squad inherited from Erik ten Hag and the club's financial woes will make Amorim's job even harder. Yet, Ratcliffe remains undeterred.
Drawing parallels with Arsenal and Liverpool's recent successes, he believes quick turnarounds are possible, tellingly revealing to the BBC: "I don't think it's mission impossible. I think it's good to have goals and objectives.
"If you look at Arsenal, if you look at Liverpool, if you look at the period of time it took them to get the house in order and get back to winning ways, that's probably slightly on the short end of the spectrum. But it's not impossible."
Moreover, he acknowledged that player sales would impact the summer budget, which could lead to an influx of more suited talent, reports the Mirror.
"Obviously that budget changes but upon who we may choose to sell because that would supplement the budget," he added. Dispelling any speculation about selling players due to financial plight, the club supremo was resolute.
"No no. We won't be selling players because of the state we are in financially," insisting instead that cost adjustments would be made by streamlining the club.
"The club had got bloated so we reduced that and will finish it with a lean and efficient organisation. That's how we will address the costs. The player decisions will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance. That's all."