According to journalist Chris Blackhurst, Sir Jim Ratcliffe could now ‘walk away’ from his position at Manchester United. The British billionaire has faced continuous ‘problems’ at Old Trafford since taking over, and things don’t seem to be getting any easier.
In December, Sir Jim officially arrived at Man United, acquiring an initial 25% stake in the club, which is understood to be worth more than £1 billion. Now working alongside the Glazers, things have not been easy.
With INEOS calling the shots, firm cost-cutting measures have led to heavy criticism from fans and pundits alike. Adding to that, form on the pitch has not improved with Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim delivering consistently bad results for the Premier League giants.
Blackhurst, who is the former editor of The Independent and authored the book The World’s Biggest Cash Machine, has now suggested that there is a reasonable likelihood that Ratcliffe could abandon his project in Manchester.
Jim Ratcliffe Has ‘Problems’ At Old Trafford
Blackhurst was appearing on Sky Sports when he was asked if there was ‘any way he could see Ratcliffe walking away from United?’ His response was firm:
“Well, he’s got problems. Look, Jim Ratcliffe is a very, very successful businessman, probably one of the most successful that has ever been in Britain, no question,” he began in the segment, as seen below.
“But INEOS, his main chemicals business, that’s not doing well. His investments in sport, none of his sports investments have worked. Cycling, the rugby, the America’s Cup, Tottenham. I mean, none of these things have paid off. Formula 1, none of it’s worked.
“So, yes, I can (see him walking away). If he gets a lot of personal abuse and he has said, he gave that warning… there was a warning not that long ago saying ‘if I if I get much more personal abuse I may walk away’.
Saudi Takeover Talk Could Influence Ratcliffe
Adding to the intrigue, these claims come amid reports that Manchester United are now at the ‘advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor’. The claim comes from Saudi promoter Turki Alsheikh, who recently said:
“The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor – I hope he’s better than the previous owners.”
Saudi Arabian Royal Family, Prince Saud Mishal, who is apparently a Red Devils supporter, has now added weight to the claims, taking to social media to repost Alsheikh’s statement while also adding the prayer hands emoji.
With Ratcliffe’s start to life at Man United not winning him many fans, it wouldn’t be a shock to learn that fans are in favour of new investors coming in and taking over – especially if that also would finally mean an end for the Glazers’ influence at Old Trafford.
As recently as March, Ratcliffe even admitted that some of he ‘abuse’ he suffers could even cause him to walk away from the club. He told BBC Sport: “I mean, I can put up with it for a while.
“I don’t mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United down where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we’re having to make at the moment.
“If I draw a bit of the ire, I can put up with that. But I’m no different to the average person. It’s not nice, particularly for friends and family.
“So, eventually, 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.”
