Manchester United legend Roy Keane has taken aim at Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the club announced plans to build a new 100,000-seater stadium
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Roy Keane on the Stick to Football podcast
Roy Keane ripped into Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast
(Image: Stick to Football / YouTube)
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has launched a scathing attack on Sir Jim Ratcliffe following the revelation of the club's staggering £2billion stadium plans.
In an outburst on the Stick To Football podcast, Keane slammed the INEOS billionaire for what he felt was hypocrisy amid sweeping cost-saving initiatives at the club that have led to numerous job losses. "On one hand, they're getting rid of lots of people, and on the other, they're going to spend £2bn on a stadium. He can still look after people a little bit better," Keane lashed out.
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"He [Ratcliffe] is on about saving money at the club and we know the way that a lot of ex-players have been treated, the fund they had available, the staff that have been at the club for years – on one hand, he's still treating them badly, and I understand it's a business and you've got to try and make the right decisions.
"But the next day they're building a £2bn stadium for their fans around the world. You have to show loyalty to people that have been at the club for years."
News of the new stadium hit the headlines just a day after Ratcliffe's confession that without the enforced belt-tightening, United would have been out of cash by Christmas. The 72-year-old had previously justified the harsh financial measures in an interview with Gary Neville by defending measures such as dismissing staff, scrapping complimentary meals, and halting remote working.
"I recognise I'm unpopular at the moment – but I am prepared to be, and I can deal with being unpopular for a period of time because I believe that what we're doing is the right thing," Ratcliffe said.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe speaks with Gary Neville
Sir Jim Ratcliffe isn't a particularly popular figure at United at the moment
United's ambitious plans for a new ground were unveiled on Tuesday, promising to create the largest football venue in the UK with a capacity of 100,000 spectators. The proposed stadium, which will be situated near the current Old Trafford ground, is expected to be ready within five years.
The innovative design includes three masts, referred to as 'the trident', and boasts a public plaza that architects claim will be "twice the size of Trafalgar Square". Once the new stadium is complete, Old Trafford, which has been United's home since 1910, is anticipated to be demolished.
Despite his aforementioned criticisms, Keane, 53, expressed his approval of the new stadium designs: "When you look at the new stadium, the plans, it would be fantastic wouldn't it? For the area, for the supporters. It looks special," the Irishman admitted.
An image of United's prospective new stadium
United's new stadium will feature three masts that resemble a trident
Nevertheless, not everyone is thrilled with the development. The fan group The 1958, who recently protested against the club's ownership, have voiced their dissatisfaction, claiming the plans do not honour the club's storied past and its bond with fans.
The group released a statement condemning the design: "The design resembles a generic, soulless corporate structure, more akin to a modern entertainment venue than a football cathedral.
"Its circus-like aesthetic disregards the club's working-class origins and the identity of a fanbase that spans generations. Rather than honouring the past and strengthening the bond with the local community, it prioritises spectacle over substance, alienating those who have defined United's legacy for decades."