Manchester United fans hoped that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s takeover would end the chaotic decision-making at boardroom level.
However, it has been quite the opposite during Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year as owner at Manchester United.
The Red Devils sit down in 14th in the Premier League table with 10 games remaining this season, and there is pressure on Ruben Amorim to win the Europa League – even though he believes it won’t save United’s season.
In the backdrop of United’s on-pitch struggles, Ineos have made several controversial decisions that have angered fans.
Anti-Glazer protests took place at Old Trafford over the weekend, and fans also voiced their opinions on the £66 ticket prices introduced by Ineos.
Ratcliffe has confirmed tickets will rise more next season, and that only scratches the surface of the questionable decisions made behind the scenes.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Dan Ashworth’s exit
United fans were delighted by Dan Ashworth’s appointment back in February, after several months of the club chasing his signature.
Brought in as director of football as part of Ratcliffe’s restructuring, Ashworth only lasted five months before a shock announcement that he would be leaving the club.
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Ratcliffe spoke to Gary Neville on The Overlap about the decision to sack Ashworth, and the United boss suggested it came down to a lack of “chemistry”.
“I don’t want to go into the details of it as I don’t think it serves much purpose,” Ratcliffe said.
“At the end of the day it was down to chemistry. Maybe a bit more than chemistry, but it didn’t work.
“With you or the other management team?” Neville asked.
“Just chemistry. I know it’s an unpopular decision and it’s seen as an error – and it is an error.
“But slightly in our defence, we did recognise it as something that would not work and therefore we decided to make a change.”
Ratcliffe apologises for £15m Dan Ashworth disaster
United spent longer trying to poach Ashworth from Newcastle than he did at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe’s “error” didn’t come cheap either as United spent over £4m sacking Ashworth back in December.
Combined with the £11m spent sacking Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff – Ineos have made some costly mistakes during their first year in charge.
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Ratcliffe did take responsibility for those mistakes, however, and issued an apology to United fans for getting it so wrong.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Ratcliffe said: “I agree the Erik ten Tag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors. I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologise for that.”