As the calendar turned to 2024, Manchester United fans were optimistic, looking ahead to a new era under the leadership of Jim Ratcliffe. However, the expected renaissance at Old Trafford quickly turned into a worrying decline for this illustrious club.
This Sunday, United prepare for a clash against arch-rivals Liverpool, haunted by the specter of four consecutive defeats. New coach Ruben Amorim is feeling the pressure as his side flirt dangerously with the relegation zone in the Premier League.
With Ratcliffe, a British billionaire who recently acquired a minority stake in the club for a staggering £1.25 billion ($1.6 billion), now at the helm of football operations, it is crucial to examine how this change impacted the team on and off the field.
– A Ray of Sun Goes Out Quickly –
United had a brief taste of glory when they lifted the FA Cup after a victory over Manchester City in May. Yet the triumph proved to be a double-edged sword for manager Erik ten Hag, who was handed a new contract after the victory despite a disappointing eighth-place finish – the club’s lowest in Premier League history .
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Although many believed Ten Hag’s tenure was coming to an end before the Cup victory, he was allowed to continue until October after an internal review. However, the situation quickly deteriorated, and after his team won only three of the first nine league games, the club opted to pay a buyout clause of 10 million euros (8.3 million of pounds sterling) to bring in Amorim from Sporting Lisbon.
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-However, the expected managerial spark is yet to ignite, with Amorim managing just two wins from their opening eight league games, leaving United stuck in 14th place as the new year approaches, ne being just seven points above the relegation zone.
Amorim has expressed concerns over limited training time to implement his preferred 3-4-3 formation, a tactical choice that appears ill-suited to the team’s current composition. Notably, key wingers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho found themselves sidelined under Amorim’s regime, and the new coach raised questions about their work ethic.
Reflecting on the club’s current state, Ratcliffe admitted: “Manchester United have slipped into mediocrity. Significant changes are essential to restore our elite status. We have already made substantial adjustments.” The septuagenarian, who earned his wealth as the founder of petrochemical giant INEOS, instituted major reforms within the club’s sporting framework.
– Controversial Choices –
Ratcliffe’s tenure was marked by significant personnel changes, including the recruitment of Omar Berrada from Manchester City as CEO, Jason Wilcox as technical director, and Dan Ashworth as sporting director, after a prolonged negotiation with Newcastle regarding transfer compensation.
However, Ashworth’s time in the role was short-lived, with just five months under his belt as tensions rose over disappointing returns from a nearly £200 million summer transfer, which included investments in players like Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee.
While Ratcliffe’s arrival was initially welcomed by fans disappointed with the Glazer family’s ownership, his recent decisions are beginning to erode that goodwill. Protests broke out before last month’s home game against Everton when ticket prices were increased to 66 pounds per match, with no reduction in sight for children or the elderly.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust expressed serious concerns, saying: “This has created a significant divide with the fan base, and urgent action is needed to repair the damage.” The club’s recent redundancy program saw around 250 positions cut, with even legendary manager Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorship being axed.
Additionally, the club’s foundation funding is facing cuts, as well as a charity aimed at supporting former players. “We face difficult and unpopular choices,” Ratcliffe commented. “Avoiding difficult decisions will not lead to meaningful progress.” But ultimately, it’s the team’s stagnant performance on the field that worries fans most, as a decline that began after Ferguson’s departure in 2013 shows no signs of reversing.
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