Sir Jim Ratcliffe Makes Blunt Assessment, Some Slayers Are "not good enough" And others Are "overpaid."

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made a blunt assessment of Manchester United's current squad, claiming that some players are "not good enough" and others are "overpaid." In an interview with BBC Sport, Ratcliffe singled out Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Hojlund, and Andre Onana—players acquired before his involvement—as part of the club's financial and performance struggles.

Ratcliffe, a lifelong United fan and the chairman of Ineos, took a 28.94% stake in the club last year for £1.3bn, assuming control of football operations. He acknowledged the challenges of restructuring the squad, emphasizing that the club was still making payments for past transfers, including a £17m installment for Sancho this summer despite the winger currently being on loan at Chelsea.

"We've inherited these players and have to sort that out," Ratcliffe stated. "Some are not good enough, and some are overpaid. It takes time to move from the past into a new future."

United's current struggles in the Premier League—where they sit 14th—highlight the need for change. Ratcliffe remains committed to transforming the team and reiterated his goal of delivering silverware by 2028.

Support for Amorim and Long-Term Vision

Despite the team's struggles, Ratcliffe expressed strong backing for manager Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November. United have lost nine of their 26 matches under Amorim but are still in contention for Europa League success.

"Ruben is an outstanding young manager, and I think he will be here for a long time," Ratcliffe said. "The squad has been plagued by injuries, and we are down to just 10 or 11 proper first-team players. Given those circumstances, he's doing a great job."

Amorim has already made tough decisions, such as sending Marcus Rashford on loan to Aston Villa after determining he wasn't part of the new vision. Ratcliffe praised the forward's performances at Villa, suggesting a permanent exit could be mutually beneficial.

Financial Realities and Squad Reshaping

Ratcliffe disclosed that United had been operating at a financial loss for seven consecutive years, warning that without significant changes, the club would have run out of money by the end of 2025.

"Manchester United would have been out of cash by Christmas if we didn’t take necessary measures," he revealed. "We have to be financially responsible to bring success back to the club."

Despite financial constraints, Amorim will have funds for transfers in the summer, supplemented by potential player sales. However, Ratcliffe assured fans that young stars like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho would not be offloaded to balance the books.

"We won't be selling players because of financial difficulties. Our focus is on improving performance, not just managing costs."

Admitting Past Mistakes

Ratcliffe acknowledged that his administration had made errors, including retaining Erik ten Hag and hiring Dan Ashworth as sporting director—decisions he now views as missteps.

"We got those wrong, and I apologize," he admitted. "We corrected them, and we're in a different place now."

Despite the setbacks, Ratcliffe remains confident that United can win the Premier League by 2028, drawing parallels with Liverpool’s rebuild under Jurgen Klopp.

Stadium Plans and the Future

Beyond squad changes, Ratcliffe aims to overhaul Old Trafford, with an announcement expected soon regarding plans to create "the most iconic football stadium in the world."

His vision extends beyond the men's team, insisting that the women’s squad is equally important, despite criticism over his past remarks and perceived lack of support.

Commitment to Success

Though aware of the backlash over cost-cutting measures, including ticket price increases and staff layoffs, Ratcliffe remains committed to revitalizing Manchester United.

"I recognize I’m unpopular at the moment, but I'm prepared for that because I believe what we’re doing is right," he concluded. "United has come off the rails, and we need to get it back on track. We want to be where Liverpool and Real Madrid are today—winning trophies again."

With a transformative period ahead, Ratcliffe’s leadership will be pivotal in shaping Manchester United’s future, both on and off the pitch.

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