With the advent of 2024, Manchester United fans have entered the new year with a glimmer of hope, eager to see a revival under the leadership of Jim Ratcliffe. However, that optimism has quickly turned to disillusionment as the club grapples with ongoing problems, leaving the former Premier League giants on the razor’s edge of crisis.
This weekend, United face their eternal rivals Liverpool, carrying the heavy burden of four consecutive defeats which have plunged the club into the twists and turns of a relegation battle from which even new manager Ruben Amorim is struggling to find a way.
Since British billionaire Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake valued at $1.6 billion (£1.25 billion) and took charge of football operations, many remain perplexed as to the direction the legendary club is heading.
A Doubtful Year
Although they won the FA Cup after a thrilling victory over Manchester City last May, it was a fleeting moment of triumph overshadowed by a season that ended with the club’s worst performance in the Premier League, a lackluster finish. in the eighth. There was widespread outcry when Erik ten Hag looked set to be ousted, yet a surprise cup victory extended his tenure.
Read more:
Transfers: Christ Makosso joins Luton Town and the English Championship
Ten Hag’s fate was sealed after a string of disappointing performances this season, prompting a £10 million buyout to bring in Amorim from Lisbon. However, the desired effect of the coaching change has still not materialised, with the new manager managing to secure just two wins from eight league games, leaving United languishing in 14th position, just seven points behind. above the relegation zone as the calendar swings to the new year.
Read more:
Pascal Jansen ready to take the reins as NYCFC’s new coach
Amorim lamented the restrictions on training time that hampered the implementation of his 3-4-3 formation, which was further complicated by the lack of resources he inherited—notably highlighting the remoteness of wingers stars Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho due to alleged attitude issues.
A Call for Change
Recently, Ratcliffe lamented: “Manchester United have become mediocre,” emphasizing that significant change is essential for the team to regain its elite status. With the 72-year-old oil tycoon making major reforms to the club’s operational structure, he poached CEO Omar Berrada from Manchester City, appointed Jason Wilcox as technical director and brought in Dan Ashworth, who had had a long-running row with Newcastle on salaries, as sporting director.
Despite the initial warm reception, Ratcliffe’s cost-saving measures—such as increasing the price of match tickets to £66—sparked discontent among supporters, amplified by a redundancy program that eliminated around 250 positions. The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has raised concerns about rising ticket prices, saying: “This has created a significant divide with the fan base, and the club must act urgently to repair the damage.” A threat to the welfare of former players has also emerged, with funding cuts for community initiatives reported.
Unmet Expectations
In the eyes of dedicated fans, what really matters is a revival on the field—something that has been sorely lacking since the legendary Alex Ferguson left in 2013. Ratcliffe argues that tough decisions need to be made, saying: “If you avoid them, nothing will really change.” Yet the question remains: will these decisions result in tangible improvement for Manchester United, or are they just a prelude to further disappointments?
