Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his partial takeover of Manchester United over a year ago, purchasing a minority stake in the club and taking control of football operations.
The Ineos chief has not shied away from controversial, hard-hitting decisions since becoming co-owner of Manchester United.
There is a realisation that Ineos are having to clean up a mess created by the Glazer family, who remain majority owners of the football club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal was initially greeted with immense positivity, but the British billionaire has quickly become a controversial figure due to sanctioning brutal cost-cutting strategies to raise funds.
That includes the announcement that 200 United employees will be made redundant this year. It comes as a worrying follow-up from the 250 staff members given their redundancy last year.
United are 14th in the Premier League after a dire season and money will be required to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad in the summer transfer window.
Eric Cantona’s wishful Sir Jim Ratcliffe prediction
Shortly after Ratcliffe became co-owner at United, club icon Eric Cantona cast a wishful prediction that the Reds would eventually come back as the best team in the world.
Cantona, who announced his shock retirement in 1997, scored 82 goals across 185 appearances during his time at United.
The Frenchman proved to be a catalyst under Sir Alex Ferguson after helping the side to four Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
Ratcliffe’s acquisition excited Cantona and he spoke publicly about how Ratcliffe could positively impact the club.
Speaking to the Big Issue in March 2024, Cantona said: “For sure with Jim Ratcliffe I think we come back as the best. The way you drive the club is important.
“Ratcliffe, who is a fan of United since forever, is a great businessman of course, but is also very passionate about sport.”
United fans accept that it will take Ineos time to get everything in order at Old Trafford, along with suggestions of a new 100,000 capacity stadium. But the least they expect from owners is to be respected.
Cantona outlined the significance behind driving the club forward and how Ratcliffe has been a United fan all his life, despite previously attempting to buy Chelsea Football Club.
As a United fan, Ratcliffe should be conscious of how important loyal fans are at Old Trafford.
Fears over increased pricing for United season ticket holders only suggest that Ratcliffe could penalise fans for the shortcomings of the first-team as well as the Glazer family.
Manchester United fans announce protest before Arsenal clash
While some of Ratcliffe’s cuts have been necessary, many of them have been questioned by United fans, who might not agree with Cantona’s premature assessment of the Ineos chief.
United fan group The 1958 have announced plans for a protest against the Glazers and the club’s ‘deliberate assault on fan culture’.
The 1958 took to X on Monday night to make a rallying call for fans to gather at the Tollgate bar for 3pm before Sunday’s Premier League meeting between United and Arsenal.
Fans are asked to form behind the large banner and march from the Tollgate to the Munich tunnel at 3:15pm.
Only time will tell if the club will listen to the fans.
The 1958 also released a press release this morning urging fellow fans to wear black against Arsenal ‘to symbolise how the club is slowly dying’.
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