Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been speaking about his plans at Manchester United this week, and I have to say that it is very refreshing for the Old Trafford faithful to hear from him.
The Glazers do not tend to go public with comments about Manchester United, and now the club’s new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is giving glimpses into his plans for the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners.
United are arguably the biggest club in England. I am not a Manchester United fan, but I still feel bad about how one of the biggest institutions in English football is struggling these days.
Manchester City have been the dominant force in English football for several years now. Only Liverpool have been able to push them hard in recent seasons and have won the Premier League title.
And, now Arsenal are starting to become a force to be reckoned with. Manchester United have regressed. They finished in the top four last season and, instead of pushing on to challenge for the title this campaign, they could end up sixth or even lower.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe does not have an easy task ahead of him, and I do not think that his transfer plan is particularly great.
The 71-year-old appeared on the Cycling Club podcast hosted by Geraint Thomas, a rider for Ratcliffe’s team Ineos Grenadiers.
Ratcliffe was asked whether he would rather sign Kylian Mbappe for United or the Tour de France winner, Tadej Pogacar, for his cycling outfit.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on Kylian Mbappe
The businessman responded, as transcribed by The Times: “I think in a way what I would rather do is try to sign the next Mbappe [rather] than spend a fortune trying to buy success.
“It’s not that clever buying Mbappe — anyone can figure that one out. What’s much more challenging is to find the next Mbappé, or [Jude] Bellingham, or Roy Keane.”
Mbappe is leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season and will join Real Madrid. There is no way that United would be able to convince the 25-year-old France international forward to move to Old Trafford anytime soon.
My View: Disappointing strategy
However, that should not deter United from actually trying to sign superstar players. Yes, it is important to look for “the next Mbappe”, but if you have the chance to bring in a reaymade world-class player even if he costs a lot of money, then, for a club like United, it has to be done.
United have not been the force they once were for over 10 years now. It is a fall from grace for the Red Devils.
But, United have a global and loyal fanbase and are still an attractive club. The Red Devils have to sign the best players available – or at least try to – if they are to compete with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal for the Premier League title in the immediate future
Look at Real Madrid. They do not get obsessed with ‘projects’. The fans demand good and winning football, and the team deliver more often than not.
United have to aspire to those lofty standards. The fans expected them to win the Premier League and go far in the UEFA Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has to get the club back to those days.
Yes, I understand that United cannot sign a whole new squad full of world-class players in one or two transfer windows. It will take time, but they have to at least try to sign world-class players like Mbappe.
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