Story perspectives

Ratcliffe’s Manchester United slump hits worst form again

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Lineker Slams Ratcliffe

Former striker Gary Lineker called Sir Jim Ratcliffe an unpleasant human being.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 29% stake in February 2024 and now runs Manchester United’s football operations.
United finished 15th in Ratcliffe’s first full season, their worst Premier League finish.
After one win in five games, United sit 12th with five points.
Fans protested Ratcliffe and the Glazers at the September Manchester derby, demanding his resignation.

Summary

Ratcliffe Blames Taxes

Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the UK is “on the slide” because of high taxes and immigration.
Ratcliffe condemned the government’s refusal to licence the Jackdaw and Rosebank offshore fields, calling it “insanity”.
He warned a severe winter could force the UK to run out of gas and shut down industry.
Mayor Andy Burnham rebuked Ratcliffe’s “colonised by immigrants” comment as contrary to Manchester’s traditional values.

History

Historical Context

After Malcolm Glazer’s leveraged £790 million takeover in May 2005 saddled Manchester United with about £540 million of debt and sparked protests that birthed the fan-run F.C. United of Manchester, the club remained under Glazer control for two decades. In December 2023 Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 25 % stake, raising his share to 28.9 % by late 2024, reigniting the long-standing ownership controversy.

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Lineker Slams Ratcliffe

Former striker Gary Lineker called Sir Jim Ratcliffe an unpleasant human being.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 29% stake in February 2024 and now runs Manchester United’s football operations.
United finished 15th in Ratcliffe’s first full season, their worst Premier League finish.
After one win in five games, United sit 12th with five points.
Fans protested Ratcliffe and the Glazers at the September Manchester derby, demanding his resignation.

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