Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Manchester United's Muslim Supporters' Club has issued a statement of no confidence in Jim Ratcliffe following his controversial comments.
The billionaire INEOS founder, who owns a large stake in the Red Devils, gave a controversial interview where he claimed the UK is 'on the slide' and named immigration as a contributing factor.
INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe reacts on stage during the inauguration of the Greensand carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Esbjerg, Denmark, on September 18, 2026. Greensand is the first project in the European Union designed to demonstrate a full CCS value chain, including the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide in depleted oil and gas reservoirs beneath the North Sea4
INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe reacts on stage during the inauguration of the Greensand carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Esbjerg, Denmark, on September 18, 2026. Greensand is the first project in the European Union designed to demonstrate a full CCS value chain, including the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide in depleted oil and gas reservoirs beneath the North Sea
What did Jim Ratcliffe say?
Speaking on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview, Ratcliffe also claimed Britain once had 'the greatest empire in the world' before insisting this is no longer the case.
He said: “We had the greatest empire in the world, we were a great people. We won two world wars.
"We're good, honest folk, but unfortunately, at the moment, I think the UK is on the slide. It's quite difficult to see how we arrest it."
Ratcliffe added: “Nobody’s tough enough to deal with the immigration problem. Nobody’s tough enough to deal with the benefits problem.
“But somebody needs to do it.”
What has been said about Ratcliffe's comments?
In the wake of Ratcliffe's explosive comments, Man United's Muslim Supporters' Club have responded with a strong statement calling for Ratcliffe and other stakeholders - the Glazer family - to leave the club.
In a 750-word message, the fan group condemned Ratcliffe's remarks, as well as his decisions since acquiring a stake at the club in February 2024, having overseen rises in season ticket prices and controversial staff cost-cutting measures.
United's poor start to the season was also referenced, which hit a new low with their Carabao Cup collapse against Brighton this week.
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The statement read: “Our players, staff, stewards, security teams and supporters come from different countries, cultures, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.
“Manchester United would not be Manchester United without them. That diversity isn't a weakness of Manchester United. It is part of Manchester United.
Manchester United fans protest against Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decisions at the club4
Man United fans have previously voiced their frustrations with Ratcliffe's decisions since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2024
“Different backgrounds. Different beliefs. Different politics. One Manchester United.
“Manchester United does not belong emotionally to investment funds, shareholders or billionaires. It belongs to the generations of supporters who inherited this club from their parents and grandparents and who will one day pass it to their children.
“We love Manchester United. This club is all we know and, when it comes to football, it will be all we ever know. That is precisely why we cannot stay silent.
“This is bigger than one defeat. Bigger than one manager. Bigger than one season. It is about the direction, leadership and identity of Manchester United Football Club.
“After years of decline, broken promises and repeated failure, Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club has lost confidence in the current ownership structure of Manchester United Football Club.
“Enough is enough. It is time for change. The Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe must go.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is seen during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United4
Ratcliffe's two-year involvement at Man United has been far from straight forward
This isn't the first time Ratcliffe has made controversial comments on immigration, who in February addressed his frustration at the government's approach and said the UK had been 'colonised by immigrants'.
In response, Man United put out a statement of their own highlighting the club's inclusive stance.
Ratcliffe went on to apologise if he 'offended some people', but his latest remarks have led the Red Devils' Muslim Supporters' Club to express their disappointment.
The statement continued: "Earlier this year, MUMSC publicly challenged Sir Jim Ratcliffe after his comments that the UK had been 'colonised by immigrants'.
"We condemned those comments then. He subsequently apologised for his choice of language,' the latest Muslim Supporters' Club statement read.
"We hoped a lesson had been learned. Clearly, it has not.
Man United's players after their Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton4
Ratcliffe's controversial comments come after Man United suffered back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Brighton in recent days
"This week, Sir Jim has again placed immigration and people receiving benefits at the centre of his explanation for Britain's problems, arguing that nobody is 'tough enough' to deal with either.
"We find these latest comments deeply disappointing and completely unacceptable."
Man United head into Sunday's clash with Fulham sitting 13th in the Premier League after gaining four points from their first four games.