Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken regularly about changing the culture at Manchester United and, in many ways, a lot of supporters will agree with that notion.. Those on the outside can tell that the standards have dropped since the takeover by The Glazers. Not only has the United team diminished on the pitch, Old Trafford has been left to rot in the process.. While there is backing for a complete “reset” at the club, the manner in which Ineos are doing that has – at least in some circles – turned some opinion against them. Very few will shed a tear when their playing squad is overhauled next summer, but many find the cost-cutting of staff as unpalatable.. Ratcliffe has gone after the club with almost robotic efficiency and, while there are benefits to acting in such a manner, United are losing a big part of themselves in the process. Perhaps the most damning indictment of this approach comes amid reports from The Telegraph that the Ineos founder allegedly enquired what former United women’s captain Katie Zelem did at the club on a visit to Carrington.. If that was the case, of course, that kind of unprofessionalism is what one would expect from a minor royal’s visit to an organisation they were not prepped on. It is not what you would expect from someone who has just bought a minority stake in said organisation!. Sir Jim Ratcliffe meets Katie Zelem and Leah Galton at Carrington in January 2024. (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images). The sad truth is that this sort of allegation does not come as a surprise and perpetuates the idea that Ratcliffe will display the same sort of apathy as The Glazers. During Ineos’ other sporting ventures, Ratcliffe tended to keep day-to-day operations at arm’s length.. That is easy to do with a cycling team – where the fan-base is not as passionate – but does not cut the mustard in football. Eyebrows were raised when he took the same approach with OGC Nice, but there was an understanding that Ratcliffe would need to be more visible at United.. He has certainly been that in his first year at his boyhood club, although the British billionaire seems to be making one or two concerning decisions. Change at United should be a two-way street and, while the Reds’ staff are adapting to the penny-pinching, Ratcliffe needs to understand that his new purchase is more than just another business in his portfolio.. There should also be plenty of heart behind his ownership regime of the club and when he first arrived, he spoke passionately about the pride in taking over “his” club. Now it’s time to stay true to those principles and show that those who work there – whether they be right at the top, middle or the bottom of pyramid – are more than just a number on Ratcliffe’s and Ineos’ spreadsheet.. Try MUFC Pro NOW for free. Subscribe to our brilliant app for the best way to enjoy the M.E.N’s unrivalled Manchester United coverage.. No adverts, pop-ups or distractions – just our brilliant content presented in the best way possible.. Comprehensive, round-the-clock coverage of the Reds, with agenda-setting breaking news and insight from Samuel Luckhurst and our authoritative team of United writers. Exclusive content for subscribers. New interactive elements including (coming soon) quizzes to test your United knowledge.. Try MUFC Pro for a front-row seat to the action at absolutely no cost for the first month. You can get started by downloading our app here on iPhone, or here on Android. If you already have our app, click on the ”MUFC Pro’,’ Subscribe’ or ‘ Remove ads’ links.. *Free trial auto renews at £19.99 annually unless cancelled. T&C’s apply. Ad-free indicates that you will not be shown standard display ad formats with the articles that you read, selected articles may contain commercial messages/affiliate links where contractually required.
