GARY NEVILLE blasted the “truly awful” timing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent takeover of Manchester United.
The British billionaire has purchased a £1.3billion stake in the Red Devils from the Glazer family.
And United bizarrely chose to make the huge announcement on Christmas Eve – something slammed by Old Trafford legend Neville.
He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Manchester United 2023 has been a disgrace to the end.
“The timing of this is truly awful and no functioning organisation would even think about it.
“Anyway all the very best to Jim Ratcliffe and I hope he can somehow work out a way to get the club right again and back to being something respectable on and off the pitch.”
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And Neville’s fury was echoed by fans, as one said: “It’s reason why Manchester United has fallen off so bad , for a big club like us it’s insane how bad we are run.”
Another added: “Complete mismanagement.”
One fumed: “Neville is right. Putting the news out on Xmas eve means less scrutiny and questions about the deal.
“He’s made a very simple and valid point.”
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The Glazers first put the club up for sale a year ago but failed to agree to selling their entire share.
Their demands led to rival Sheikh Jassim pulling out of the race but it did not deter Ratcliffe, who plans to take a hands-on approach to running the club.
He is set to be in charge of football operations and has been desperate to get his feet under the table for some time with Man Utd enduring a difficult season.
Ratcliffe has already fired chief executive Richard Arnold and director of football John Murtough could follow suit.
Ex-Juventus CEO Jean-Claude Blanc, Crystal Palace director Dougie Freedman and Monaco transfer guru Paul Mitchell have emerged as possible replacements.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
