Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has opened up about the pressures of owning the club, stating that while he can tolerate criticism, he would consider walking away if subjected to the same level of abuse as the Glazer family.
Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a 25% stake in United and took charge of football operations, acknowledged that tensions exist with sections of the fanbase but insisted he understands the frustrations given the club’s struggles in recent years.
“I don’t mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we’re having to make right now,” Ratcliffe admitted. “If I draw a bit of the ire, I can put up with that. But I’m no different from the average person—it’s not pleasant, especially for friends and family.”
He also pointed out the extent to which the Glazers have been forced into the shadows due to relentless fan hostility, suggesting that if things reached a similar level for him, he would step aside.
“Eventually, if it got as bad as it did for the Glazer family, I’d have to say, ‘Enough is enough—let someone else do this.’ They can’t even attend matches anymore. Right now, I don’t have security, but if I ever needed it, that would defeat the purpose. If it’s not enjoyable, why do it?”
Ratcliffe also referenced a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, who warned him about the intensity of the role.
“The first thing Sir Alex said to me was that the shirt can be too heavy. That applies to everyone—the coach, the players, and even the owner. It’s turning me into an old man!”
When pressed by journalist Martin Samuel on why he chose to buy Manchester United, Ratcliffe struggled to provide a clear answer.
“I can’t honestly say why we did it,” he admitted. “With Nice, you can buy a club for £100m, but the level of football there doesn’t excite me. United is different.”
As he prepares for his first major transfer window in charge, Ratcliffe will be under immense scrutiny, but his latest comments suggest he is fully aware of the challenges that come with trying to restore Manchester United to the top.
