Manchester United fans began 2024 buoyed at the prospect of a new dawn, but the winds of change at Old Trafford under Jim Ratcliffe have so far only hastened the demise of the English giants. Twelve months on, United travels to bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday fearing another humiliation on the back of four consecutive defeats, leaving new manager Ruben Amorim stressing his side are now embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle.
According to AFP Sports, the situation at Manchester United has taken a turn for the worse since British billionaire Ratcliffe bought a $1.6 billion (£1.25 billion) minority stake and seized control of the club's football operations. Despite enjoying one day of glory last season by lifting the FA Cup after defeating Manchester City, it did little to stem the tide of disappointment. The victory merely extended Erik ten Hag's tenure, allowing him to limp on until he was finally removed after overseeing the club's worst-ever Premier League finish last season.
Ruben Amorim, who replaced Ten Hag, seems to be struggling to inject new life. Having managed to win only two of his first eight league games, United finds itself languishing at 14th place at the start of the new year and merely seven points above the relegation zone. Amorim lamented the lack of time to implement his 3-4-3 system, indicating the challenges imposed by the current squad structure and poor timing with the start of the season.
Ratcliffe’s intervention promised to bring about transformation. He boldly declared, "Manchester United has become mediocre. There is major change to come to achieve elite status," and initiated significant alterations within the sporting structure of the club. His team brought in Omar Berrada as CEO from Manchester City, along with other high-profile appointments such as Jason Wilcox as technical director and Dan Ashworth as sporting director. Unfortunately, Ashworth's tenure ended abruptly after just five months amid internal conflict about the club's performance and investment revelations.
While Ratcliffe's arrival was initially met with hope from fans eager to distance themselves from the controversial Glazer family, the aftermath became increasingly contentious. Protests erupted over ticket price hikes to £66 per game without concessions for children or pensioners, leading to the Manchester United Supporters' Trust expressing concern about the growing rift with the fanbase.
On another front, staff treatment under Ratcliffe's regime has also raised eyebrows. Frank Robinson, who spent 24 years as a steward at Old Trafford, recently shared his reasons for quitting. Discontent rippled through the stewards when bonuses for attendance were axed and issues surrounding pay and working conditions escalated. Robinson remarked, “It’s very petty for a football club. You’re pinching off people at the bottom of the ladder.” The tensions have prompted many long-serving stewards to resign, with managerial changes perceived as tactical decisions to replace experienced workers with cheaper agency staff.
Meanwhile, amid swirling frustrations, Joe Cole warned Ratcliffe and Amorim of the waning allure of Manchester United as a destination for top talent. He criticized the club's struggle to attract players of high pedigree, saying, "If I was advising Manchester United, I'd tell them to forget about signing the best names in world football and the best young players." Meanwhile, the stark reality surfaces as United's record of six defeats under Amorim exacerbates the situation, seeing them closer to rock bottom teams than meaningful competition.
The stakes could not be higher as they prepare to face Liverpool, reflecting not only on the immediate task at hand but also over the greater worrying trend. Sky News notes how funding cuts affect not only the players but also outreach efforts such as the United Foundation aimed at supporting community initiatives, contributing to the bleak outlook under Ratcliffe.
Despite initial optimism surrounding Ratcliffe's influence on United, the widening gap between them and rivals like Liverpool only confirms the downward spiral of the club’s reputation. With fans growing increasingly impatient and disillusioned, questions swirl around whether Ratcliffe can turn around the fortunes of the once-mighty football institution.
Fans are becoming acutely aware of the changes as the club slides year after year, seemingly unable to emerge from the shadow of past disappointments since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. Ratcliffe's promises ring hollow as the team flounders, and the disappointment continues to escalate.
With supporters feeling the brunt of the club’s mismanagement, the pressure to act is palpable. Ratcliffe may have arrived on the wings of hope and change, but his legacy at Manchester United faces its most rigorous tests. The future may be uncertain, but the past year reflects little more than chaos and clamor within the majestic walls of Old Trafford.