SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has defended his controversial cost-cutting at Old Trafford – and claims the club was on track to run out of money THIS YEAR.
The United co-owner broke his silence following recent fan protests at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe, 72, told the BBC: “Manchester United would have run out of cash by the end of 2025.
“Where do you want to spend the money?
“Do you want to spend it on operating the club or do you want to spend it on the squad?
“Because if you spend it on the squad, you get better results.
“At the end of the day, what is Manchester United here for if not to win trophies?
“What we want to do is invest in the best players in the world, if we can.
“Rather than spend it on, I’m afraid, free lunches.”
Ratcliffe completed a minority takeover in 2023 and has since gained control over sporting operations at United, which in turn led to some severe downsizing.
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He has pursued unpopular cost-cutting over the past year.
Last week, SunSport revealed how United are staring at a £100million black hole after a horror season.
Last summer saw 250 staff members made redundant, with another 200 estimated to follow.
Ratcliffe has slashed costs across the club, including ditching the annual Christmas party and removing Sir Alex Ferguson from his paid role as an ambassador.
He continued: “The losses are because the club’s just been spending money needlessly.
“We’ve got a body language consultant. There’s all sorts of stuff we’re spending money on that we don’t need to be.”
On the field, the Red Devils are languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League.
And they may be forced into selling their star assets in the summer to counter PSR rules.
The players were not immune from Ratcliffe’s criticism in the scathing interview.
He added: “Some [players] are not good enough and some probably are overpaid.
Man Utd ratings vs Arsenal as De Ligt shows exactly why Man Utd signed him but Zirkzee is as frustrating as ever
IT was a performance that would have pleased Ruben Amorim but a 1-1 draw with Arsenal does little to paper over the cracks at Manchester United.
On a day when the Old Trafford crowd protested the owners, the players stood up to show their remains life in a club that fans say is experiencing a “slow death”.
There was a lack of clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes as both sides goalscoring troubles continued.
A moment of magic was needed and Fernandes stepped up as he so often does.
Arsenal‘s wall was full of man mountains, but Fernandes found the power, dip and accuracy to beat David Raya with his free-kick – even if the wall was marched 11.2 yards back instead of the regulated ten.
Mikel Arteta’s side came out swinging in the second-half with their makeshift No9 up top, and it took a brilliant effort from Declan Rice to level the scores.
United were able to frustrate them and remain a threat on the counter but eventually had to settle for a point in a much-improved performance.
Here is how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the United performances.
“But for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.
“We’ve got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future.
“There are some great players in the squad as we know, the captain is a fabulous footballer. We definitely need Bruno [Fernandes], he’s a fantastic footballer.”
Prior to Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal, thousands of United fans took to the streets outside Old Trafford to protest.
Organised by the 1958 fan group, spokesperson Steve Crompton claimed the club is “dying” and “facing financial Armageddon”.
Crompton said: “The club is slowly dying before our eyes, on and off the pitch, and the blame lies squarely at the current ownership model.
“The club is facing financial Armageddon. Debt is the road to ruin.
“Sir Matt Busby would be turning in his grave at the current plight of one of the world’s greatest football institutions which is being brought to its knees and in many ways becoming a laughing stock.”
