Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has broken his silence and spoken out on one Manchester United “talent” in Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has overseen a rough period at Old Trafford in Ineos’ first full season running football operations at Premier League side Manchester United.
The 72-year-old billionaire acquired his minority stake in United in 2023 — and later ratified in 2024 — and Ratcliffe has been met with criticism over his decisions.
Ineos’ sweeping changes at United have included a behind-the-scenes change of the hierarchy and a slew of cost-cutting measures across the board at Old Trafford.
Among the cuts have been legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson being axed from his ambassadorial contract and a reduction in pay for other legends.
Ratcliffe, who is a boyhood United fan, has also become equally unpopular among Red Devils supporters after his decision to raise matchday ticket prices this season.
The Ineos chief has also made other big calls amid the disastrous 2024-25 Premier League season for the club, including Erik ten Hag being sacked as United manager.
READ MORE: Paul Scholes baffled by what Man Utd star’s role is under Ruben Amorim after Arsenal draw, he’s still ‘not sure’ himself
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe speaks out on Man Utd talent Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa
Marcus Rashford was one of the high-profile exits from Manchester United in the January transfer window after Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old fell down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim and Marcus Rashford was left out of the squad for the Manchester City match last December.
Rashford had hinted that his future was away from United and the Red Devils star made his exit from Old Trafford and signed for Aston Villa last month.
Aston Villa have reportedly agreed to cover a large portion of Rashford’s mammoth United wages as part of a six-month loan spell at Villa Park.
The Red Devils have included an option for Villa to buy Rashford for £40m, with the England international unlikely to play again under United manager Amorim.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sir Jim Ratcliffe called Rashford a “very talented footballer” and praised the England and United star for his “tremendous talent” on the pitch.
“He’s moved out of Manchester and maybe that’s a good thing for him,” he said.
“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.”
READ MORE: Peter Schmeichel blown away by ‘unbelievable’ moment in Man Utd vs Arsenal, he’s ‘not having’ criticism towards star player
What Sir Jim Ratcliffe thinks of Ruben Amorim after Man Utd squad offload
Ruben Amorim wasted no time making his presence felt on the United first-team squad, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Antony both offloaded.
The 40-year-old United manager was brought in by Ineos and Ratcliffe last November after Erik ten Hag was axed by the Red Devils.
Ratcliffe insisted that Amorim “won’t tolerate” players who don’t have the right attitude, despite admitting that the former Sporting CP boss is “not perfect.”
“He is, as most great coaches are, an emotional character. Ruben is not perfect but I am a great supporter of Ruben,” he said.
“He wants a dressing room that is full of people who are totally committed to winning football matches.
“He won’t tolerate people who don’t have 100 [per cent] of that attitude. The players have to be in the same box.”
Rashford is under contract with United until 2028 and the Three Lions international has been able to secure regular playing time at Villa Park under Unai Emery.