Sir Jim Ratcliffe has told
Manchester United staff that he is not concerned about making money from his investment and instead solely wants to return the club to winning the biggest trophies.
Ratcliffe, within a fortnight of finally striking his deal for 25 per cent of United, is taking a dramatically different approach. The British billionaire addressed an audience of employees in an Old Trafford lounge at an all-hands meeting on Thursday and drew applause for what sources, speaking to
The Athletic on the condition of anonymity, describe as “straight-talking” and “honesty” about the issues that have dogged the club for years.
Ratcliffe acknowledged the club has shown commercial resilience in the challenging period of the pandemic, but he made clear that he would be measuring achievement by silverware rather than revenue and everybody should focus on that priority. Sources say this was a “liberating” decree.
Ratcliffe, who grew up as a United fan in Failsworth, a town outside Manchester, said he does not care about making a return on his $1.3billion investment. He also wants to make major improvements to Old Trafford and Carrington, stating his $300million additional funding, which will be converted into equity, is only the start of his support to that end.
Staff have described being impressed by the scale of ambition and appreciation of the current reality.
Again, I'm just winding you up...
