Manchester United supporters are expressing their concerns following what they perceive as ‘disrespectful’ remarks made by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
On Monday, Ratcliffe alarmed fans with a series of troubling statements during interviews in which he addressed the criticism he has faced in recent weeks. The INEOS chief indicated that without implementing a range of controversial cost-cutting measures since his arrival, the club might have faced financial collapse by Christmas this year.
Recently, fans have come across additional unsettling comments from Ratcliffe, heightening their anxiety.
Prior to acquiring a minority stake in Manchester United in February of the previous year, INEOS owned various sports teams, including Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport, Ligue 1’s OGC Nice, and a share in the Mercedes Formula One team.
It is Ratcliffe’s recent remarks regarding one of these teams that have prompted United fans to voice their worries on social media. In an interview with The Times, when asked about INEOS’s decision to invest in Manchester United, Ratcliffe made an unusual comment expressing his dissatisfaction with the ownership of Nice as part of his explanation.
Ratcliffe said: “I can’t honestly answer why we did it. It’s quite a difficult question. With Nice, in the French league, you can buy a club for £100million. It’s much cheaper access.
“But I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited.”
Reacting to the comments, one fan wrote: “This guy needs a lid on him. Imagine being a Nice fan and hearing this.”
While one stated: “I wonder what nice fans will think of this. Their owner doesn’t like watching them play cos their level of football isn’t high.”
And another added: “He just disrespected Nice and league one.”
Another one joked: “Disrespecting Nice and he can’t even answer why he bought United, he’s not only a billionaire but also a comedian!”
Ratcliffe’s suggestion that one of his motivations for acquiring United was to experience a more ‘exciting’ style of football than what he currently observes at Nice may come as a surprise to some supporters, especially considering the current standings of both clubs this season.
Presently, Nice occupies the third position in the Ligue 1 table, which ensures them a spot in the Champions League next season if they maintain their position within the top three.
In contrast, United finds itself in 15th place in the Premier League, with their only chance of achieving European football next season hinging on an unlikely victory in the Europa League.
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