Controversial Sir Jim Ratcliffe decision has pushed Man United fans to team up with Liverpool

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s made several controversial decisions during his first year as Manchester United co-owner.

The British billionaire’s Manchester United takeover was confirmed on Christmas Eve last year, meaning Tuesday marks Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s one-year anniversary as co-owner.

United’s early Christmas present was welcomed with open arms by a fanbase tired and frustrated of the Glazers, but Ratcliffe has already split opinion less than 12 months in.

Cutting costs has been at the forefront of Ratcliffe’s mind all year with 250 jobs axed at United. It is understood that the staff purge cost United £10m.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s contract was ended by Ratcliffe and Ineos, who have also stripped many of the bonuses available to staff at the club.

No one has been safe from Ratcliffe’s ruthless penny pinching with United fans outraged by ticket prices increasing to £66 regardless of age.

Man United and Liverpool fans team up against ticket prices

After United’s ticket hike was announced, supporter groups wrote a letter to club CEO Omar Berrada slamming the decision as a “disgrace”.

The club pointed towards the Profit and Sustainability Rules as the justification for the price rise, but that didn’t sit well with fans after tens of millions were spent sacking the likes of Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth this year.

As reported by The Telegraph, United and Liverpool fans are set to join forces to protest against rising ticket prices when the two clubs meet in January.

Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils travel to Anfield on January 5th in what will be the Portuguese’s first clash against United’s arch-rivals.

Fans are expected to reveal a ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ banner at Anfield in protest of ticket prices – something Ratcliffe has been guilty of doing.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe risks facing Man United fan fury

Ratcliffe is at risk of following the Glazers down a slippery slope with fans slowly turning against him.

There have been plenty of positives during Ratcliffe’s tenure. Ultimately there has been more focus on the footballing department and that is something all fans wanted.

A good boardroom structure has been put in place behind the scenes – although Ashworth’s shock departure suggests there are still growing pains in that area.

READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe will face Man United fan fury if he agrees Real Madrid deal, he is already on thin ice

There has also been progress towards a new 100,000-seater stadium and a state-of-the-art training facility, but it has come at huge, unethical, costs.

From staff cuts, ticket rises and poor executive decisions, trust in the new ownership is already dwindling and Ratcliffe is showing no signs of slowing down.