Soccer

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE laid bare the huge problems facing Manchester United in a series of bombshell interviews on Monday.The Ineos chief, who bought a minority share in the club just over a year ago, addressed a range of topics.Sir Jim Ratcliffe addressed a number of topics since his arrival at Man UtdCredit: X/SkySportsPLThese included the shocking performances on the pitch, the unpopular decisions he has made with regards to cost-cutting and the errors already made since his arrival.We have looked at ten of the main takeaways from Ratcliffe’s candid set of interviews…Squad ‘not good enough’Ratcliffe blasted the squad as ‘not good enough’ and highlighted five stars not up to scratchCredit: GettyRatcliffe, 70, made it clear in no uncertain terms he doesn’t think the current playing squad is up to scratch.The British Billionaire said: “Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe even specifically named five players – Antony, Andre Onana, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho – who his team “had to buy” when he invested in the club – referring to outstanding transfer fee instalments United still owe to other teams.The huge fees paid out for increasingly poor returns have been one of the driving forces of United being in the mess it is in.However, Ratcliffe believed progress was slowly happening with summer signings like Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt.He added “fantastic” stars such as Bruno Fernandes would be needed to emerge from this darker period. Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsRunning out of cash by XmasPoor ownership has left the club on the brink of financial ruin, with Ratcliffe claiming Man Utd would have run out of cash by ChristmasCredit: GettyMan Utd have a huge cash problem. That is a fact which is well documented and in the public record.However, the severity of the issue from years of negligence under the ownership of majority owners, the Glazers, was laid bare by Ratcliffe with a stunning claim the club was set to run out of money by Christmas without drastic cost-cutting measures.Sir Jim Ratcliffe launches scathing attack on struggling Man Utd squad saying some ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’He told the BBC: “The simple answer is the club runs out of money at Christmas if we don’t do those things,” before adding to The Telegraph: “It (United) goes bust at Christmas (without change).”That claim of United ceasing to exist is a little wide of the truth, although the comment about the lack of cash is accurate, with Ratcliffe putting in $300m (£232.72m) since arriving which has left the club with £74m in the bank.Ratcliffe revealed the club has lost around £330m over the last four years.What he thinks of Ruben AmorimRuben Amorim has the full backing of Ratcliffe and the management team despite less than ideal resultsCredit: RexAmid the raft of issues at United, Ratcliffe does not believe Ruben Amorim is one of them, and insists he will be at Man Utd “for a long time”.United sit 14th in the Premier League under the former Sporting Lisbon, with his arrival in November not providing the uplift in form many would have hoped for.But Ratcliffe remains convinced he is the man for the job.Ratcliffe said of the 40-year-old: “I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.”You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. Ruben is doing a super job…”He is, as most great coaches are, an emotional character. Ruben is not perfect but I am a great supporter of Ruben.”Ratcliffe also revealed Amorim is no-pushover and is willing to tell him to “f*** off” when they meet up.Meeting with FergieSir Alex Ferguson was left ‘grumpy’ after being told the club could not afford to continue paying himCredit: GettyOne of the most controversial decisions made since Ratcliffe’s arrival was the ending of a multi-million pound commitment to Sir Alex Ferguson, which Ratcliffe said left Fergie “grumpy” to begin with.He said: “I sat down with (Sir) Alex, just the two of us in the room and I said, ‘Look, the club isn’t where you may think it is. “It is spending more than it’s earning and we’re going to finish up in some difficulties. Honestly, we can’t really afford to continue to pay you £2m a year’. “I said I’m going to ‘leave it with you, let you have a think about it’. It was very grown-up. “Maybe a little bit grumpy at the beginning but he got it, and he came back three days later, after talking to his son, and said, ‘Fine, I’m going to step away from it. My decision’. “I think it reflects really well on Alex, because he put the club before himself.”How much club still owe on transfersRatcliffe revealed the club will have to pay £89m on transfers next summer even if they do not sign a single playerCredit: RexRatcliffe revealed on The Overlap that Man Utd would be signing a cheque of £89m for transfers this summer, even if they did not sign a single player.He lamented huge fees still owed for big investments on stars before he arrived, giving an example of a £17m payment still to be made for Sancho in the summer.Indeed the five names he explicitly mentioned have combined transfer fees of well over £300m. He said: “These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.”The staggering fees owed on transfers is one of the main reasons the club are losing money year on year, with savage cost-cutting decisions being made.Cutting free lunchesRatcliffe’s decision to cut free lunches for staff at Man Utd was very controversialCredit: ReutersAmong the most controversial of the swathe of cost-cuts made at Man Utd since Ineos arrived was the removal of free lunches for staff.His philosophy of “you look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves” may ring true in other forms of business but, at a financial juggernaut like Man Utd, many fans felt the measure seemed extreme.Ratcliffe estimated at the time that it would save the club £1m a year – a figure totally dwarfed by transfer fees, salaries and manager pay-offs.Ratcliffe said: “At Ineos, we run a lean organisation. As my mother said, you look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves.”We can sound flippant about free lunches but if you give all these perks, first-class train fares, free taxis, it’s not coherent. It goes bust at Christmas.”Awkward chat with Neville over £40k cut to ex-playersGary Neville left Ratcliffe looking visibly uncomfortable when grilling him about the £40,000 donation to the Former Players AssociationCredit: Youtube @TheOverlapIn probably the most damning showing of emotional from Ratcliffe in the interview, he was visibly uncomfortable when discussing the £40,000 donation to the Former Players Association with Gary Neville on The Overlap.Neville asked why, if the club could not afford the payment, they had not arranged for a major star like Fernandes or Harry Maguire to have a fund-raising dinner for the organisation.Like a scene out of The Office, Ratcliffe responded by saying no one had thought of it but he would have supported it and would reconsider the decision in the future.Neville responded by saying that “alarms” him, and it was the most damning reflection of the new management team at United so far.Body language consultant – Ratcliffe’s ‘bugbear’Ratcliffe emphasised the need for cost cuts with United having some staff he deemed unnecessaryCredit: Youtube @TheOverlapWhile Ratcliffe has taken some flak for the brutal cost-cuts since his arrival, in some cases he believes those decisions are more than worthwhile for what he deems are unnecessary roles.During his interview he highlighted the club having a “body language consultant” on £175,000 a year, almost scoffing at the suggestion such a role could be useful.Admitting Ten Hag and Ashworth errorRatcliffe admits the costly decisions to sack Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth were ‘errors’Credit: GettyFor all the cost-cutting Ratcliffe and his team have done since arriving, there have also made some very expensive “errors”.Those include the decision to keep and then fire Erik ten Hag, as well as the ill-fated appointment of Dan Ashworth.The decisions to sack the pair and then bring in Amorim cost around £20m – which is a whole lot of free lunches – though he insisted those decisions were made before the full management team were in place.Ratcliffe said: “I agree the Erik ten Tag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors. “I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologise for that.”If you look at the time we made the decision about Erik the management team hadn’t been in place more than five minutes.”It became clearer three months later and we got it wrong, but we’d moved on. I think we corrected it and we are in a very different place today.”Rashford verdictMarcus Rashford’s departure in the summer will help to rebuild the squad in Ruben Amorim’s mould, according to RatcliffeCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford’s omission from the Man Utd squad by Amorim before his loan transfer to Aston Villa in January was a real head-scratcher.It was made even worse considering United’s struggles in the final third and the fact Rashford has already managed three assists in Villa colours.However, while Ratcliffe said he was “pleased” the Man Utd academy graduate was doing well on loan, he reiterated that Amorim had his full backing over squad matters, citing a need for all players to give 100 per cent.He said: “He (Amorim) wants a dressing room that is full of people who are totally committed to winning football matches. “He won’t tolerate people who don’t have 100% of that attitude. The players have to be in the same box.”On Rashford himself, he added: “He’s moved out of Manchester and maybe that’s a good thing for him.”I am very pleased he is doing well. It’s good to see because he has got tremendous talent, but for whatever reason it wasn’t working in Manchester for the past couple of seasons. READ MORE SUN STORIES”But he is a very talented footballer, Rashford.”Ratcliffe also suggested Rashford’s future would lay away from Old Trafford from the summer, with the attackers sale set to be a part of the budget to help Amorim refurbish his squad.Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Red Devils signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as everIT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.Arsenal’s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances. 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MANCHESTER UNITED have announced plans to build a brand new 100,000-seater super stadium under a vast “umbrella” near Old Trafford.Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision of a £2 BILLION ‘Wembley of the North’ will stand as the centrepiece of a wider government regeneration of the Trafford Park area.Manchester United have confirmed their decision to build a brand new 100,000-seater stadiumOld Trafford will be demolished and new ground will be built on adjacent landThe new ground promises to be the second largest football stadium in Europe, behind the Nou CampUnited will attempt to complete it in an ambitious five-year timeframeThe stadium will be contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwaterThe government will help fund a redevelopment area around the stadiumThe legendary 115-year-old Theatre of Dreams has provided the backdrop to the biggest moments in English football history.But an Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force – organised by minority owner Ratcliffe – has confirmed plans to demolish it and build a brand new home on adjacent land.United’s decision came after an extensive consultation process around whether to develop the existing stadium from a capacity of 74,000 to 87,000 or build a new one.Architects at Foster and Partners, who will design the project, said the stadium would feature an umbrella design and a new public plaza that is “twice the size of Trafalgar Square”.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThree giant towers, inspired by the Red Devils’ trident, will dominate the skyline and hold up the “umbrella” – a sweeping glass and steel canopy above that will keep fans dry inside and outside what would be Britain’s biggest stadium.A series of spectacular drawings show that the new Old Trafford would be pushed back from the site of United’s existing stadium.Their own, tree-lined version of Wembley Way would stretch from beyond the current Holy Trinity statue, to well inside the existing Old Trafford with land currently used for a car park and freight terminal behind the Stretford End coming in to play. United have ambitiously proposed that it will be completed within five years, which aligns with Ratcliffe’s previous vision of 2030.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThe planned stadium would become the largest in the UK – overtaking Wembley, which has a capacity of 90,000.A huge wraparound scoreboard also features, along with a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as part of a vast fan village.Sir Jim Ratcliffe launches scathing attack on struggling Man Utd squad saying some ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’As well as the new stadium, the Trafford Park area will have a huge public plazaThe complex will boast a major communal hubThe struggling Premier League club will fund the ground itself, while the UK government will help support the wider park area around the stadium.But United, currently £1 billion in debt, are yet to say how they plan to pay for the stadium.Under-fire co-owner Ratcliffe said: “Today marks the start of anincredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford.“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport.“By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.”United’s plans of building a new state-of-the-art arena – which would be the second largest football ground in Europe behind the revamped Nou Camp- received a major boost in January when the proposal received the backing of the government.The stadium, and wider regeneration project, has the potential to deliver an additional £7.3billion-per-year to the UK economy.The complex will boast a major transport hub as well as dedicated premises for sports, educational, entertainment and business.Other communal benefits include more than 17,000 new homes as well as driving an additional 1.8 million visitors annually.The government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priorityAnd their plans to re-shape the area would create more than 92,000 job opportunities.Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already given government backing to the plans.The architect company is led by the award-winning architect Lord Norman Foster, a close pal of Ratcliffe’s who is currently overseeing the revamp of United’s Carrington training base.Offering some details about the plans, Lord Foster, said: “The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square.”The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. “It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of.”Foster and Partners designed the new Wembley, which opened in 2007, and the Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.United have vowed to build the fan experience zone of the futureThe government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England.The announcement comes a day after Ratcliffe’s bombshell interview with regeneration Task Force member Gary Neville.While discussing the club’s current plight on the pitch, Sir Jim insisted that Man Utd will fund the stadium itself themselves.He said: “We can build a stadium. We don’t need any government funding for that stadium, but it has to be the underpin for the regeneration.”The only basis upon which we can build a new one is if it is part of this government regeneration scheme for south Manchester, because we can’t afford to regenerate southern Manchester, that’s too big a bill for the club.”So United will deliver the stadium while the the Mayoral Development Corporation will support the wider regeneration of Trafford Park. The public public plaza promises to be twice the size of Trafalgar SquareRatcliffe believes United should have the best stadium in the world’Club must be brave’ – Sir AlexSir Alex Ferguson urged fans to be brave and accept Old Trafford’s fate while backing the decision.The legendary British manager, 83, said: “Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch.”And that includes the stadium we play in. Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally.”But we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build anew home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.”And Lord Sebastian Coe said these plans are the most exiting urban regeneration project in the UK since the London 2012 Olympic village.Part of the feasibility study included a survey of more than 50,000 Man Utd season ticket-holders, members, and executive club members which found more than half favoured a new stadium.Leadership figures involved in the new stadium also stressed its wider benefits for the local area and its economy, as well as the wider North West.Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham added: “Manchester United could, and indeed should, have the best football stadium in the world.”To me, that means a stadium that is true to the traditions of the club, affordable to all, with nobody priced out, and a stadium that sets new standards in the game globally.”I believe this vision can be realised, and if so, the benefits for Greater Manchester, the North West and the country will be huge.”A major new transport hub will be laid out here the new stadiumA brand new residential complex will be built, including flats and office spacesUnited provided snap of what the flats will look like from the insideGrowing criticism of current Old TraffordUnited have spoken to senior people involved in the most recent large-scale stadium developments, including the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the rebuild of Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium, as part of their background work.Criticism of Old Trafford has grown in recent years, with issues including leaks from the roof of the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand.The decision comes just two days after United fans held the largest protest since Ratcliffe was brought in last year.More than 5,000 supporters gathered outside Old Trafford before United’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, in protest against the club’s ownership.Viral videos showed hundreds chanting: “Sell United and f*** off home” leading up to the iconic stadium.Scores of flares were set off as fans dressed in black sang abusive songs towards co-chairman Joel Glazer and Ratcliffe, who has spent £1.3bn for a 28.94 per cent stake in the club.The 1958 spokesperson Steve Crompton has claimed that the club is “dying” and is “facing financial Armageddon”.Today’s decision also comes a day after Ratcliffe revealed that the club have “no money left”.Defending his controversial cost-cutting, Britain’s richest man claimed the club was on track to run out of cash this year.The Red Devils recently announced they had lost more than £300million over the past three years, highlighting their financial troubles.United have made cost-cutting measures across the board since Ineos secured a minority stake last year, including cutting the workforce by 250 people last year. The stadium has not had significant development since 2006.United fans protested against the club’s ownership on SundayOne fan’s sign criticised the club’s ticket prices for childrenAnother claimed fan culture had diedRatcliffe has vowed to build the best stadium in the worldWhy will it only take FIVE YEARS?Lord Foster, 89, explained why the reduced timeline has been made possible in a second video posted by the club on Tuesday.He shared how stadium constructors plan to build “arguably the largest public space in the world”.The Task Force will manufacture components off-site and use the city’s existing features to assemble them on-site.United plan to use the Manchester Ship Canal, a 36-mile-long waterway linking the city to the Irish sea, to transport parts of the stadium to the existing Old Trafford site.In the video, Foster said: “Normally a stadium would take ten years to build. We halved that time, five years.”How do we do that? By prefabrication, by using the network of Manchester Ship Canal, bringing it back to a new life. “Shipping in components, 160 of them, Meccano-like. And then we rebuild the Old Trafford station, and that becomes the pivot, the processional way to the stadium, welcoming and at the heart of a new sports-led neighbourhood. “It’s walkable, it’s well-served by public transport. It’s endowed by nature. It learns from the past, it creates streets. It’s a mix-use mini-city.”At United’s unveiling of the stadium Ratcliffe added: ‘We can build a stadium much more quickly (than the conventional ten-year timeframe). READ MORE SUN STORIES”There are yards that build structures and are then shipped to locations around the world.”The thing that allows us to do that is the Manchester Ship Canal. That halves the time.”Designer Lord Norman Foster explained why the reduced timeline has been made possibleCredit: Getty More