Ratcliffe Slams Overpaid Manchester United Stars, Admits Costly Mistakes

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has launched a scathing criticism of the club’s underperforming stars, branding some of them as “not good enough” and “probably overpaid.”

Ratcliffe, who took charge of football operations in February last year, expressed his frustration over the club’s recent transfer dealings, highlighting Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, and Antony as key disappointments.

Sancho and Antony, both currently on loan at Chelsea and Real Betis respectively, were singled out as examples of poor investment decisions.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Monday, Ratcliffe lamented the financial burden of past signings.

“If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, Casemiro, Onana, Hojlund, Sancho. These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort them out,” he said.

Ratcliffe also revealed United are still paying instalments on transfer fees for several players, adding, “For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17 million to buy him in the summer.”

When asked if those players were not up to United’s standards, Ratcliffe admitted, “Some are not good enough, and some probably are overpaid.”

However, he stressed that reshaping the squad into a competitive unit would take time.

Despite a disappointing season that saw United finish eighth in the Premier League while winning the FA Cup, Ratcliffe and his team initially chose to stick with Erik ten Hag as manager.

However, the Dutchman was eventually dismissed in October and replaced by Ruben Amorim.

Ratcliffe conceded that retaining Ten Hag and hiring Dan Ashworth as sporting director who left after just five months were both missteps.

“I agree the Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors. There were mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were mistakes. I accept that and I apologise for that,” he admitted.

Despite United’s continued struggles under Amorim, who has left the team languishing in 14th place, Ratcliffe insisted he remains confident in the Portuguese manager.

“If I actually look at the squad available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job, to be honest,” he said. “I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. He’s excellent, and I think he will be here for a long time.”

Backing Amorim’s decision to loan out Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa, Ratcliffe added, “He wants a dressing room full of people totally committed to winning football matches. He won’t tolerate those who lack that attitude.”

Ratcliffe’s harsh assessment of United’s squad came just a day after thousands of fans protested against the club’s ownership before Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Chants of discontent were directed at both the Glazers and Ratcliffe, with frustrations heightened by a mid-season ticket price increase and looming job cuts. Following 250 staff redundancies last year, another 200 jobs are reportedly at risk.

Defending the cost-cutting measures, Ratcliffe stated, “It’s unpleasant, but necessary. If we don’t do those things, the club will run out of money by Christmas.”

Despite the turmoil, the INEOS chairman remains optimistic about the future.

He promised that Amorim would receive financial backing in the transfer market, reiterating his ambition to restore Manchester United to the top.

United have not won the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2013, but Ratcliffe remains hopeful of breaking that drought before the club’s 150th anniversary in 2028. “It’s not impossible,” he declared.