FILE - Manchester United's co-owner Jim Ratcliffe sits with his head in his hands during a Manchester United match against Liverpool.
Image: Paul Ellis / AFP
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has openly criticised a handful of the club’s underperforming stars, describing them as “not good enough” and “probably overpaid.”
Since taking charge of football operations at Old Trafford in February last year, Ratcliffe's tenure has seen little success, culminating in a turbulent period for the legendary club.
Among the players Ratcliffe pointed to as sources of frustration are striker Rasmus Hojlund, goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Casemiro and wingers Jadon Sancho and Antony.
Antony and Sancho are currently on loan at Real Betis in Spain and Chelsea, respectively, while another star player, Marcus Rashford, was also loaned to Aston Villa.
Ratcliffe, who shares ownership with the US-based Glazer family, highlighted the financial burden associated with keeping these players on their books while they are not performing or living up to expectations.
"If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn't buy, we're buying Antony, we're buying Casemiro, we're buying Onana, we're buying Hojlund, we're buying Sancho,” Ratcliffe told the BBC.
"These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we've inherited those things and have to sort that out.
"For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we're paying £17 million to buy him in the summer."
Asked if he was suggesting those players were not good enough for United, Ratcliffe 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."
Following a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season, Ratcliffe and his advisors opted to retain manager Erik ten Hag despite ongoing struggles. However, just months later, Ten Hag was sacked and replaced by Ruben Amorim after another dismal run of form left United languishing in 14th place.
Accepting past missteps, Ratcliffe publicly acknowledged that keeping Ten Hag was a mistake. He applied the same verdict to his decision to hire Dan Ashworth as sporting director, a role he left in December after just five months.
“I agree the Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth decisions were errors,” the 72-year-old admitted. “I think there were some mitigating circumstances, but ultimately they were errors. I accept that and I apologise for that.”
Despite the current difficulties, Ratcliffe remains optimistic about Amorim, praising the young manager's potential.
“If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job to be honest,” Ratcliffe stated. “I really do think he is an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.”
Additional reporting by AFP
@JohnGoliath82