Man Utd transfer news

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has launched a staunch defence of the under-fire Glazer family – calling them “the nicest people on the planet”.Since taking over the club in a leveraged buyout 20 years ago, the Glazer family have become some of the most hated people in football.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has delivered a verdict on the Glazers Man Utd fans won’t likeCredit: GettyRatcliffe actually praised the much-maligned majority owners of the club as ‘decent people’Credit: PA:Empics SportRecent accounts revealed Man Utd have debts of more than £1billion, including £300million in transfer fees owed to other clubs, compared to the club being debt free before their arrival.A lack of investment off the pitch and radio silence from them about the direction of the club have not seen them win over anyone else either.But minority shareholder Ratcliffe, who brought a 27.7 per cent share in the club in December 2023 before taking control in February, has defended his co-owners a number of times. And in an interview with The Times, Ratcliffe once again refused to criticise the club’s majority owners.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “To be fair to the Glazers, they’re really good on the commercial side.”The people who advise me say the fans don’t want to hear it. So I’ve got to be cautious. “I get a lot of criticism if I support the Glazers, but the fact is they’re really decent people. “They’re East Coast, you know — that old East Coast America, they’re very polite, they’re very civilized, they’re the nicest people on the planet. Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”I mean, there isn’t a bad bone in Joel Glazer’s body.”Ratcliffe continued by instead planting the blame at who used to be in charge of the day-to-day running of the club – Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold.Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains his plans for the new Man Utd Stadium The British billionaire said: “I mean, I wouldn’t have tolerated Ed Woodward, or Richard Arnold. “Richard was a rugby man, he didn’t even understand football. Ed didn’t have the credentials to manage the club. “He was a merchant banker, an accountant. He wasn’t the chief executive.”The management of Manchester United have been given a huge amount of rope. “The owners just managed the club and left the football side alone and they’ve made a lot of very poor decisions over 12 years, stupid things. “They made a complete cock-up of it, shocking really. They couldn’t see where they were headed.”The first management group, they thought they understood and wanted to get involved in buying footballers but they didn’t have the knowledge to buy footballers, you know, so they went in the marketplace, spraying money around and it was just random, wasn’t it?”Ratcliffe, 70, also admitted he would consider walking away from Man Utd if he was subjected to the same level of abuse as the Glazers have been.However, he also admitted he has not seen them since his buy in more than 12 months ago.He said: “They’ve retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I’m getting all the bloody stick.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We bought in and I haven’t seen them since. It’s, ‘Thank you, Jim, you’re doing a really good job.’ At the moment, I don’t have security, I don’t have to walk around like that. “But it would defeat the object, wouldn’t it? You couldn’t tolerate it at that level, it just wouldn’t be fun.”Ratcliffe blamed Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold for the mess the club are inCredit: ReutersSir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man UtdSIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S minority takeover at Manchester United was announced on Christmas Eve in 2023 – and a lot has happened at Old Trafford since…December 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old TraffordJanuary 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin addedMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre moveMarch 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s footballMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old TraffordMarch 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in DecemberApril 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanlinessMay 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roofMay 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticketMay 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axedMay 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of resultJune 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into officeJune 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s teamJuly 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensationJuly 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board  July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex WylieAugust 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toiletOctober 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex FergusonOctober 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matchesOctober 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15mNovember 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters AssociationDecember 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting directorDecember 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucherDecember 2024 – Ceiling starts leaking during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after 3-0 defeat to BournemouthDecember 2024 – Reports of a mice infestation at Old Trafford as rodent droppings found in food kiosks and plush suites as food hygiene ratings drops to just two starsDecember 2024 – SunSport reveals Ratcliffe cuts £40,000 funding donation to Association of Former Manchester United Players charityMan Utd player ratingsCAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare to beat Real Sociedad and advance in the Europa League.He was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against the Spaniards.Joshua Zirkzee was another who impressed as Manchester United secured a tie against Lyon in the quarter-finals.But it wasn’t all positive.Rasmus Hojlund drew a blank yet again. That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.Check out our full Man Utd player ratings. More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has taken aim at Manchester United’s previous custodians – and claims they made a “complete cock-up” of running the club.The 72-year-old completed his partial takeover at Old Trafford last February. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has opened up on past mistakes at Old TraffordCredit: PAFormer CEO Ed Woodward comes in for criticism from the Ineos chiefCredit: AFPRichard Arnold took over from Woodward but lasted just two years at Old TraffordCredit: AFPUnited are currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League following another horror season.Boss Ruben Amorim has been unable to improve results since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November.Ratcliffe last week revealed the club, who have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure 12 years ago, was close to going bust “by Christmas this year” if he hadn’t injected £300million.The 72-year-old Ineos chief claims he would step away if fans “abuse” him in a similar manner to the Glazers, who now stay clear of Old Trafford.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd he has now spoken out on who he believes is to blame for United’s current state, taking aim at former CEO’s Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold.Ratcliffe told The Times: “I mean, I wouldn’t have tolerated Ed Woodward, or Richard Arnold. “Richard was a rugby man, he didn’t even understand football. Ed didn’t have the credentials to manage the club. “He was a merchant banker, an accountant. He wasn’t the chief executive.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRatcliffe claims past management teams weren’t “into the details” and “left the football side alone”.He continued:” The way I look at it is that you had two management teams at Manchester United for the past 12 years who did a poor job because the owners weren’t like, say, Steve Parish [Crystal Palace] and Daniel Levy [Tottenham Hotspur].Man Utd confirm Old Trafford decision with club set to build £2bn 100,000-seater ‘Wembley of the North’ “They weren’t really into the details. Those two know what’s going on. “They’re there every day and the management at their clubs are on a short leash.”The management of Manchester United have been given a huge amount of rope. “The owners just managed the club and left the football side alone and they’ve made a lot of very poor decisions over 12 years, stupid things. “They made a complete cock-up of it, shocking really. They couldn’t see where they were headed.”Man Utd player ratingsCAPTAIN Fantastic rescued Manchester United once again – scoring a hat-trick as the Red Devils overcame an early scare to beat Real Sociedad and advance in the Europa League.He was the coolest man inside Old Trafford twice as he slotted home penalties either side of half-time to put his side in control against the Spaniards.Joshua Zirkzee was another who impressed as Manchester United secured a tie against Lyon in the quarter-finals.But it wasn’t all positive.Rasmus Hojlund drew a blank yet again. That’s now 21 games and no goals – the equivalent of over THIRTY HOURS without the £72m striker hitting the net.Check out our full Man Utd player ratings.United fans protested against the ownership ahead of last week’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.But Ratcliffe claims he won’t stick around if he receives the same level of “abuse” aimed at the Glazer family. He added: “If it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I’d have to say, look, enough’s enough guys, let somebody else do this. “They can’t really come to a match, the Glazers. “They’ve retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I’m getting all the bloody stick.”We bought in and I haven’t seen them since.”And he insisted the Glazers were not at fault for United’s current woes.He said: “To be fair to the Glazers, they’re really good on the commercial side.”The people who advise me say the fans don’t want to hear it. So I’ve got to be cautious.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I get a lot of criticism if I support the Glazers, but the fact is they’re really decent people.”They’re East Coast, you know — that old East Coast America, they’re very polite, they’re very civilized, they’re the nicest people on the planet.” More

GEOVANY Quenda dropped a huge hint he would snub Manchester United for Chelsea. Ruben Amorim’s reported target Quenda, 17, hit Cole Palmer’s ‘cold’ celebration months before his Blues deal went public. New Chelsea signing Geovany Quenda did Cole Palmer’s ‘cold’ celebration in JanuaryAmorim handed Sporting’s Quenda his Portuguese top-flight debut in August 2024 during his time at Sporting, starting in a 3-1 win over Rio Ave. The right wing-back made a great first impression and he quickly became a key player for Sporting.He had been expected to join Man Utd, given his links to Amorim and the fact he’d be considered a perfect fit on the right of his old boss’ preferred 3-4-3 formation.But Quenda’s move to Stamford Bridge went under the radar.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHowever, the teenager – who earned a Portugal call-up this week – arguably showed early signs that favoured a move to Chelsea.He hit Palmer’s famous ‘ice cold’ celebration after scoring his penalty in Sporting’s penalty shootout defeat to Benfica in the Portuguese League Cup.When Quenda beat Anatoliy Trubin from 12-yards, he paid tribute to Palmer by rubbing his hands over his arms to mimic shivering.Palmer first did it last December during Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Luton Town.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSChelsea have been working on this move for two to three months and believe they have beaten Man Utd to his signature.The Blues agreed a fee of £42million for Quenda, and he will join the Portuguese club in the summer in a seven-year deal.Why Gakpo v Isak will decide Liverpool v Newcastle Carabao Cup Final | Experts’ bets – Weekend WagerChelsea’s willingness to let Quenda stay at Sporting for 2025-26 played a role in them securing the transfer ahead of their rivals, who both wanted him to join this summer.But the Manchester Evening News has since debunked the theories that he chose West London over Old Trafford.The Red Devils never submitted a bid for Quenda before Chelsea agreed to sign the winger.Desire Doue also mimicked Palmer’s celebration when Paris Saint-Germain knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League this week. More

RUBEN AMORIM says Bruno Fernandes is a shining light for Manchester United — and the club’s former stars in the media need to give him a break.Ex-skipper Roy Keane is among the critics of the current captain, saying he is ‘not a fighter’ despite his obvious talent.Ruben Amorim has endured a topsy-turvy spell at Manchester UnitedCredit: REXClub legend Roy Keane has been critical of the team and skipper Bruno Fernandes over the last few monthsCredit: GETTYUnited gaffer Ruben Amorim has leapt to the defence of his countrymanCredit: GETTYBut Fernandes, 30, has been the driving force behind a mini-revival for the Red Devils and scored a hat-trick against Real Sociedad this week.Boss Amorim jumped to the defence of his fellow Portuguese, saying: “When you play for this team you have to be prepared for the critics.“I understand former players had a lot of success here and standards for them were so high.“They see things in black and white. Life is sometimes not black and white — there are other colours and you have to understand that context.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“He is always there, trying his best. I am really proud to coach a player like him.”Fernandes has been involved in 11 of United’s last 13 goals.Amorim added: “He is so important for this team and you can see from the numbers.”Meanwhile, Fernandes revealed he turned down the chance to leave United last summer.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSClubs in Saudi Arabia and Bayern Munich were linked with moves.Fernandes said: “I sat with the club because I had an offer to leave.How Ruben Amorim’s genius tweak unleashed Mazraoui to give Man Utd new attacking threat“They said what they wanted from me. I just asked if they still see me as part of the future or not. I spoke at the time with Erik ten Hag also.“He was very clear with me, the club was very clear, that they thought I’d be a big part of this rebuild that they want to do in a different way.“But now we are in a different moment with a new manager that thinks in a different way, that has a different way of playing.“I’m still very happy at the club. I’m always being happy at the club. To represent the club is a big honour for me.”Fernandes said it was ‘not nice’ to hear part-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s moans this week that some players were ‘overpaid and not good enough’.He said: “I don’t think any player likes to hear you’re not good enough, overpaid or whatever.“Everyone has their own contract. The club agrees to do the contracts at the time you come here or at the time you do a new contract.”Bruno Fernandes insists he’s still happy to be a Manchester United playerCredit: ALAMY More