Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival at Manchester United is set to be announced – and Gary Neville feels that the timing of the deal is ‘truly awful’.
Christmas Day is just hours away and Manchester United fans are set to receive a long-awaited gift.
Reports this afternoon suggest that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to finalise the purchase of a 25% stake in United.
This has been rumbling on for months now but Ratcliffe’s deal is expected to be confirmed later today.
Ratcliffe will be seizing control of football operations at Old Trafford and many United fans will be embracing a new era – but not everybody is happy.
Gary Neville reacts to Sir Jim Ratcliffe deal
Pundit Gary Neville has been vocal in his criticism of the Glazer family for many years now, slating their lack of a proper football organisation.
Ratcliffe will hopefully fix that, but Neville has taken to social media to share his frustrations.
Neville suggests that United’s 2023 has been a genuine ‘disgrace’ until the very end, slating the timing of the Ratcliffe deal.
Neville believes that the timing is ‘truly awful’ and that a functioning organisation wouldn’t dream of such an announcement right now, just hours from Christmas Day.
There will be Manchester United staff working away on the deal on Christmas Eve, whilst the announcement does ultimately bring some uncertainty over jobs moving forward, which isn’t ideal at this time of year.
It’s an awkward time for staff inside United and for the media, so we can understand some of Neville’s frustration as United prepare a Christmas Eve announcement.
The former United right back is at least hoping that Ratcliffe can get United back on track in the coming months and years, wishing him the best at Old Trafford.
Forget timing, let’s just get Ratcliffe and co down to work at Manchester United
Maybe the timing isn’t absolutely perfect but most United fans will just be happy to have the deal done.
This situation simply couldn’t drag on into 2024 and Ratcliffe can now get down to work.
Ratcliffe’s arrival won’t impact United’s January plans but he can certainly make an impact in terms of the club’s structure.
A sporting director will be a priority for Ratcliffe and co, with Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth thought to be a top target.
Landing a top off-field operator would certainly take United forward and this announcement may just give fans a timely boost ahead of facing Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
Any boost will do at the moment and we can only hope that the imminent confirmation of Ratcliffe’s arrival sets United on a brighter path.
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