Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken in a series of interviews about various issues concerning the club. Speaking to BBC, Lawton Times, and WeAreTheOverlap, he discussed recruitment, financial management, player sales, and the club’s future direction.

Recruitment and Squad Restructuring (BBC)

Ratcliffe reflected on the club’s recruitment in recent years before his involvement, acknowledging the challenges of inherited transfers.

“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 Højlund, we’re buying Sancho. These are all things from the past. Whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out. Some players are not good enough, and some are probably overpaid, but for us to mold the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”

He also praised club captain Bruno Fernandes, emphasizing his importance to the team.

“There are some great players in the squad, as we know. The captain is a fabulous footballer. We definitely need Bruno—he’s a fantastic footballer.”

No Forced Sales of Young Talents (BBC)

The 72-year-old assured fans that young players like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho would not be sold for financial reasons.

“No, no. We won’t be selling players because of the state we are in financially.

“The club had gotten bloated, so we reduced that and will finish with a lean and efficient organization. That’s how we will address the costs. The player decisions will all be focused on how we are going to improve performance. That’s all.”

Admitting Mistakes Over Ten Hag’s Contract (Lawton Times)

Ratcliffe admitted that it was a mistake to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract beyond the summer.

“I mean, the Erik thing is slightly mitigating. There was quite a lot of debate about that at the time. It wasn’t just the FA Cup final. The fans were clearly of the view that we’d like to stick with him and all that sort of stuff. But yeah, they were both mistakes. I don’t think we can say much more than that.”

Praising Ruben Amorim’s Work (Lawton Times)

Despite the club’s struggles, Ratcliffe defended head coach Ruben Amorim, highlighting the difficult circumstances he inherited.

“I think he’s done a great job in the circumstances, frankly, with the squad that he’s had available. The fact he came in mid-season—everybody expects miracles overnight. It’s not the way, not real life in my view.

“You saw the performance against Arsenal. It was a really impressive performance. They could not have worked harder. They couldn’t have been more committed. Half the squad’s missing for Ruben.

“If you look at the top eight players in terms of salaries at Manchester United, 50 percent of those are not available to Ruben. You’ve got Mason Mount, you’ve got Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford is on loan at Aston Villa, and Jadon Sancho on loan at Chelsea. And he’s got a bunch of other injuries, as you know, so I think he’s done a fantastic job.

“You have to give the guy a bit of a break. I mean, give me a hard time—I have no problem with that. But give Ruben a break. I think he’s a good guy, he’s working hard, and I think he’s doing a great job.”

Criticism of the Glazer Family (WeAreTheOverlap)

Ratcliffe criticized Manchester United’s majority owners, the Glazer family, for their lack of involvement in club operations.

“They are 3,000 miles away, and they gave the management at Manchester United a lot of rope.

“If you look at some of the other characters in English football that are owners, they are heavily involved in the details of running the club.

“They gave management an awful lot of rope—too much rope, obviously. The previous two teams of management have to take a lot of the blame for the decisions they made at the club, I’m afraid.

“It’s not just the Glazer family.”

Job Cuts and Financial Responsibility (WeAreTheOverlap)

Ratcliffe also defended recent job cuts at Manchester United, stating that financial discipline is essential.

“My mother would say: You look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves. Money we are spending at United is not my money but the fans’ money.

“Should I be spending the fans’ money on a free lunch, or should I be spending the fans’ money on a new player who might win some silverware? That’s how I look at it.”

Ending Sir Alex Ferguson’s Ambassador Contract (WeAreTheOverlap)

Ratcliffe addressed the decision to cut Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassador contract, explaining that it was necessary for financial reasons.

“I sat down with Sir Alex and said to him that the club is spending more than it’s making, that we’re going to be in trouble, and we can’t afford to keep paying him £2m a year.

“I gave him time to think about it, and he came back three days later, after speaking to his son, and said: fine, I’m going to stand down. That’s my decision.

“I think that’s a very good reflection on Alex because he put the club before himself.”

Belief in Manchester United’s Future (WeAreTheOverlap)

Despite the club’s difficulties, Ratcliffe remains optimistic about turning things around.

“I really like Manchester United—they are my boyhood club.

“I believe that we can sort it out. If I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t do it, would I? I’d sell it to the Qataris or something.”

Plans for a World-Class Training Centre and Stadium (WeAreTheOverlap)

Ratcliffe also revealed ambitious plans for United’s infrastructure, promising the best training centre and a state-of-the-art stadium.

“I won’t say much more, but Norman Foster, who is also a Mancunian and is, in my view, the world’s greatest architect, really has created the most iconic stadium.

“It would be absolutely incredible, and it would be marvellous if Manchester United could go down that road and, in five or six years, have that stadium.

“It’d be fabulous—great for the Premier League, great for the North of England. We could hold England games there, the Champions League final there.”