Arsenal ended their 22-year Premier League title drought this season and it means Sir Jim Ratcliffe must revisit his Mikel Arteta comments.
Because of Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night, Arsenal have been crowned as Premier League champions.
Manchester United have secured a third-place finish in the Premier League and Ineos want to win the title by 2028.
If that dream is going to become a reality, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe should remember what he said about Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe used Mikel Arteta as a blueprint
Earlier this season, Ratcliffe publicly backed Ruben Amorim and argued that the Portuguese head coach deserved three years in the job to prove himself.
Ultimately, Amorim clashed with United chiefs and ended up being sacked as a result, but Ratcliffe made it clear that he wants to give a coach time.
Back in October, Ratcliffe pointed to Arsenal boss Arteta as the blueprint for patience.
“Football is not overnight,” Ratcliffe said. “It’s three years. You also look at Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years.
“We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn’t a light switch. You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions.”
After a dramatic start to 2026, what is your message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
Michael Carrick will need Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s backing
So far, life under Carrick has been rosy with United winning 11 of their 16 games under his management.
But next season is Carrick’s true test, when United will be competing in four competitions and the squad will be stretched.
A big summer transfer window is expected and Carrick will be backed, but he will need the full support (and patience) of the hierarchy, with Ratcliffe at the very top of the ladder.
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Arteta has brought success to Arsenal through patience and support, and United can do the same on a quicker timeline with Carrick.
The plan to win the title by 2028 suddenly looks realistic thanks to Carrick’s success this season. There will be bumps along the way, but Ratcliffe has stressed patience, now he must deliver it.
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