Sir Jim Ratcliffe was grilled by ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who got onto the subject of Ruben Amorim's handling of a selection of Red Devils players
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe being interviewed by Gary Neville
Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered his thoughts on Ruben Amorim's handling of some Manchester United players
(Image: YouTube/The Overlap)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has backed Ruben Amorim's fierce handling of Manchester United trio Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.
Amorim, 40, has only been at Old Trafford since November and has already had to handle plenty of tense situation. As well as sending £81million man Antony on loan to Real Betis, the Portuguese boss also loaned Rashford to Aston Villa until the end of the season.
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On top of that, Amorim left Garnacho out of the United squad for the Manchester derby, citing his performances in training as the reasoning. The Argentine looked set to depart at one stage, but has managed to win over Amorim's trust and is regularly involved in the first team.
The same can't be said of Rashford, who was banished to the United wilderness and left out of the squad for seven of his last eight matches at the club. Looking back on the decisions, Ratcliffe backed Amorim's handling of the United trio.
While speaking to Gary Neville on the Overlap, Ratcliffe said: "Correct. I do, yes (support Amorim's handling). I think he’s doing the right thing with the players.
"He has to be in charge of the dressing room. You played in the dressing room, where the boss was the boss at the end of the day. He’s got a set of principles and he wants the players to abide by his set of principles, which are you have to be totally and utterly committed to winning the next football match.
Manchester United forwards Antony and Marcus Rashford embrace on the pitch
Antony and Rashford's respective futures remain up in the air(Image: Getty Images)
"That’s what he wants. If you abide by those principles, you potentially have a seat in the dressing room."
Despite Amorim's decision making, United remain in 14th position, which is where they were when the Portuguese boss inherited his current squad after replacing Erik ten Hag. While Rashford is yet to find the back of the net at Villa Park, he has looked happier and more determined in the Midlands.
He has also managed to contribute three assists in eight appearances, including a brace of assists in Villa's vital 2-1 home victory over Chelsea in the Premier League. With United being particularly goal shy in the forward areas, many have posed the question as to whether Rashford should have been allowed to depart.
Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League match between Real Sociedad v Manchester United at the Estadio Reale Arena on March 6, 2025 in San Sebastian Spain
Amorim has Ratcliffe's full backing(Image: Getty Images)
Yet, while Ratcliffe is happy for Rashford, he did not suggest there was any regret allowing the Carrington graduate to depart. Ratcliffe added: "He's moved out of Manchester and maybe that's a good thing for him.
"I am very pleased he is doing well. It's good to see because he has got tremendous talent. But for whatever reason it wasn't working in Manchester for the past couple of seasons. But he is a very talented footballer, Rashford."
United have a pivotal second-leg clash against Real Sociedad in the Europa League next. Meanwhile, Rashford will be involved in the Champions League with Villa, who are leading Club Brugge 3-1 on aggregate going into the second-leg of their round of 16 tie at Villa Park.