Man United fan group SLAMS Sir Jim Ratcliffe as they insist the billionaire's cost-cutting measures are an 'affront on the working-class foundations' the club was built on
- Manchester United fan group The 1958 has hit out at owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
- Since his takeover, Ratcliffe has embarked on a series of cost-cutting measures
- LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford
A Manchester United supporters group has released a statement offering a scathing assessment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's tenure at the club.
A little more than twelve months have passed since the Ineos chief's long-stated ambition to take over his boyhood club was realised, with the deal announced on Christmas Eve 2023.
Since taking over football operations at United, Ratcliffe has proven to be largely uncompromising in his bid to revamp all aspects of the club.
A number of key additions have been brought into the backroom staff, including former Man City chief Omar Berrada as CEO.
However, significant cuts have also been made, including the controversial recent decision to reportedly end the club's long-standing annual £40,000 donation to a charity which helps to support former United legends.
Ratcliffe has also made a mid-season move to raise matchday ticket prices to £66 per game - with no concessions for children or pensioners - while more than 250 club staff have been made redundant.
A Man United supporter group have released a scathing statement aimed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe
The 72-year-old's cost-cutting initiatives have proven to be hugely unpopular among fans
With matters on the pitch also yet to improve, The 1958 released a damning statement branding Ratcliffe's spell at the club 'a year of shame & disgrace' and calling on fans to hit back.
It read: 'A year of INEOS and Sir Jim promised so much after the generational damage caused by Glazer ownership.
'Sir Jim stated he wanted to put “The Manchester back into Manchester United”. Everyone thinking a local lad would understand the community, the working class and the fabric of our great club. Far from it and the disgraceful comments in the recent interview comparing United to Fulham back this up.
'Actions will always speak louder than words. All the evidence so far shows a different picture.
'Price hikes for match going fans. Removal of concessions for kids & pensioners. Club staff losing jobs at all levels saving peanuts. The Ashworth debacle costing millions. Ticketing services impacted by cuts (away collections). Moral of the club and hopes of fans in the gutter. Stewards bonuses being removed & numbers cut.
'You’ve seen the queues right (more on this another time). Donations to the charity that supports ex United players stopped without any notice. Nothing but total contempt for the fans and the very fabric of what our club was built on.
'Sir Jim’s strategy to cut costs is nothing other than an affront on the working-class foundations our club was built on. It’s a penny wise and pound-foolish approach. Hitting those most in need and can least afford it who have no voice is an act of cowardice and shows a total lack of understanding.
'An investor with strength of conviction would address the real issues impacting the club. The Glazers. Their mismanagement of the club for over 20 years. Their crippling debt placed on the club and the millions of pounds paid by the club in interest payments each year.
'The strategy in place to recover from the Glazers s***show is targeting the vulnerable factions of our fan base. We now have the worse of both worlds. An attack from the top down with the Glazers creaming off the club and an attack from the bottom up with the “local Failsworth lad” preying on those who can least afford it and have no voice.
The statement claimed the INEOS chairman has shown 'contempt' for the club's supporters
The 1958 also alleged Ratcliffe's measures have only worsened the state of the club following the Glazer family's hugely unpopular ownership
United sit 14th in the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim enduring a difficult start at the club
'This cannot continue! We will not allow this to continue! If we do nothing as a fan base. Then there will be no more rivalries, no more fan culture.
'Only tourists and corporates happy for a day out with no emotional attachment.
'We are up for the fight. Is the Supporters Trust (how long are you going to stand by and do nothing)? Is the fanbase? In times of adversity and hardship we all need to look to each other for the light.
'It’s your choice. It’s now or never. No matter who you are underestimate the fans and Mancunians at your peril.'
Thursday's loss against strugglers Wolves condemned United to their eighth Premier League defeat of the season.
With just 22 points from their opening 18 games, the 20-time top flight champions sit closer to the relegation zone than they do the top four.
United return to action on Monday night when they host to Eddie Howe's Newcastle.
