Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told Manchester United fans that he believes in what Ineos are doing at Old Trafford and is ready to protect one figure at all costs.
The 72-year-old Ineos chief has been met with a wave of criticism in 2024 and 2025 amid Manchester United’s disastrous 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos team is in control of football operations at Old Trafford and have ruthlessly made unpopular decisions in recent months at the Red Devils.
The Red Devils have seen a cost-cutting spree across the board under the Ineos regime, including redundances at United and axing meals for club staff.
Ratcliffe has also sparked backlash from Red Devils supporters after the decision was made to raise United ticket prices amid the current 2024-25 season.
Despite the wave of unpopular decisions at United, the British billionaire has argued that Ineos have been pushed to make effective savings in the interest of the club.
Ratcliffe’s controversial decisions at Old Trafford have included slashing the salaries of United legends on ambassadorial contracts amid his current measures.
The United co-owner also made the big call to end the ambassadorial contract for legendary former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of this season.
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Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
What Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants Man Utd fans to do for Ruben Amorim
One of the key decisions for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos came during the campaign with Ruben Amorim replacing Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager.
Erik ten Hag was sacked last October after United’s poor start to the season and Ruben Amorim has been left with an uphill task as his successor.
Amorim is United’s sixth permanent manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and the 40-year-old Portuguese coach is well aware of the challenges he faces at United.
Ratcliffe insisted that he would “rather” be seen as the “unpopular one” if it ensures that United manager Amorim is shielded from unfair criticism.
The Ineos chief added that United fans need to show “time and support” for the former Sporting CP manager and claimed that the club are an “easy target.”
Speaking to BBC Sport, Ratcliffe said: “I believe in what we’re doing and I am comfortable with being unpopular.
“I’d rather I was the unpopular one than Ruben. The media need to give Ruben time and support and the same for the fans as well.
“Manchester United’s an easy target. It’s a big target and we need to stick together through this difficult period.
“When the going gets tough people need to show a bit of resilience, a bit of grit, don’t wilt, and come out the other side fighting and that’s what we will do.”
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe reveals what Ruben Amorim is now benefiting from that Erik ten Hag never had, he’s finally ‘corrected it’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe breaks his silence on his Man Utd legacy
Ratcliffe claimed that he is prepared to be seen as an “unpopular” figure at Old Trafford if it means that Ineos can turn around United’s fortunes in the future.
When asked if he wants reversing United’s decline to be part of his legacy, he said: “Yes, I suppose in a way. I don’t really think of it that way.
“I recognise that I’m… I read the newspapers and I listen and I realise I’m unpopular at the moment.
“But I am prepared to be and can deal with being unpopular for a period of time because I believe that what we are doing is the right thing and will get us… Manchester United has come off the rails and we need to get it back on the rails.
“I believe what we are doing will put it back on the rails.”
United return to action on Thursday evening with their second-leg round-of-16 encounter with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.