Jim Ratcliffe Warns He May Walk Away from Manchester United if Abuse Reaches Glazer Proportions

Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has stated that he would consider stepping away from the club if the hostility directed towards him escalates to the same level experienced by the Glazer family.

Having acquired a minority share in United a year ago, Ratcliffe has faced criticism from fans as the team’s performance continues to decline. His decisions to increase ticket prices and implement significant staff cuts have only added to the backlash.

While the British billionaire has faced some criticism, it has yet to match the vitriol directed at the Glazers, who have controlled the club since a contentious leveraged buyout in 2005.

Protests against the American owners have become a regular occurrence at Old Trafford, and Ratcliffe mentioned that he has seldom seen the Glazers since purchasing a 29 per cent stake in the club, estimated at £1.3 billion.

“I can tolerate it for a time,” Ratcliffe remarked in an interview with the Sunday Times.

“I understand that nobody enjoys seeing Manchester United in its current predicament, and nobody appreciates the choices we’re compelled to make right now.

“If I attract some criticism, I’m able to cope with that. However, I’m just like everyone else – it isn’t pleasant, especially for my friends and family.

“So, if it ever got to the level of abuse directed at the Glazers, I would have to say enough is enough, perhaps it’s time for someone else to take over.”

Expectations that Ratcliffe’s arrival might usher in a new era of success for United have yet to materialise. The decision to extend former manager Erik ten Hag’s contract at the end of last season, only to dismiss him in October, along with the hasty exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth, has proven to be costly errors.

Since taking over from Ten Hag, Ruben Amorim has struggled to deliver any significant improvements, with United currently languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table.

This week, Ratcliffe has also stirred discontent among United’s players by suggesting that some of them are “overpaid” and “not good enough”.

The club recently revealed ambitious plans for a new stadium with a capacity of 100,000, projected to cost around £2 billion. The aim is to complete the construction within five years, but Ratcliffe has made it clear he would not remain involved if the abuse escalated significantly over time.

“The Glazers aren’t really able to attend matches anymore; they’ve retreated into the background, so I’m the one facing the criticism,” he added.

“We invested, and I haven’t seen them since. I just get, ‘thank you, Jim, you’re doing a great job.’

“At present, I don’t have security, and I’m not walking around with that on my mind. But if it got to a certain point, it would defeat the purpose, right? You simply couldn’t endure it at that level; it just wouldn’t be enjoyable.”