Sir Jim Ratcliffe made a shocking blunder in front of Katie Zelem when she was captain of Manchester United Women, according to reports.
The British billionaire has faced criticism for a perceived lack of interest in women’s football since he become part-owner of United 12 months ago.
Ratcliffe, in charge of the day-to-day running of the club, has now been accused of not knowing who Zelem was during a tour of Carrington.
The INEOS chief asked Zelem, who was captain of the women’s team at the time, ‘what she did at the club’, The Telegraph have reported, with the outlet describing the embarrassing incident as an ‘unfortunate episode’.
Zelem spent a total of 15 years at Old Trafford over two spells from 2004 to 2013 and then 2018 to 2024 respectively.
The 29-year-old midfielder was named United captain ahead of the 2019-20 campaign and led her side to glory in the 2023-24 Women’s FA Cup, marking the first major trophy in the team’s history.
Zelem, who has earned 12 international caps for England to date, also helped United clinch the Women’s Championship title in 2018-19, earning promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL).
Crowned Manchester United Women’s Player of the Year in 2019, Zelem departed the club in August 2024 before joining Angel City in the United States.
At the time of her exit from United Women, Zelem was their third-highest goalscorer and had made the second-most appearances for the club.
‘Everyone at Manchester United would like to place on record their thanks to Katie for her excellent service,’ the club said in a statement when Zelem left in June following the expiry of her contract.
‘[We] wish her the best of luck in the next phase of her career.’
Zelem played a total of 161 games across all competitions for United, conjuring up 32 goals and 46 assists.
She was also part of the Lionesses squad who finished as runners-up at the Women’s World Cup in 2023.
After moving to Angel City in the summer, Zelem told the American club’s website: ‘I’m thrilled to sign for Angel City and take on this exciting new challenge.
‘The opportunity to compete in the NWSL, one of the most competitive leagues in the world, is a huge step in my career. I’m eager to test myself in a new league, against top players whilst contributing to the success of this ambitious club.’
Zelem, who progressed through Manchester United Girls’ Centre of Excellence in her youth career, was forced to end her first stint at the club in 2013 because there was no professional set-up there at the time.
That saw Zelem move to Liverpool, helping them win back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 before she joined Italian side Juventus.
Zelem landed the Serie A Femminile title with Juventus in 2017-18 before joining United Women in a second spell as soon as the team turned fully professional.
