Sir Jim Ratcliffe: ‘Unfavorable’ Manchester United adjustments yielding results
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has indicated that some of the choices he made at Manchester United rendered him “very unpopular,” but he asserts that these decisions are now yielding positive results.
The 73-year-old has implemented a series of contentious changes at Old Trafford since he acquired a stake in the club two years ago.
During this time, United have also dismissed two managers, Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, but under interim manager Michael Carrick, they have achieved four victories and one draw, allowing them to return to the Champions League positions.
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Ratcliffe, the founder of the Ineos chemicals group, spoke to Sky News regarding the necessity for politicians to make unpopular decisions to “address significant issues.”
Commenting on United, he stated: “I’ve witnessed quite a bit of this at the football club.
“If you undertake challenging tasks, which we believed were necessary at Manchester United … we felt they were the correct actions to take. However, you do become quite unpopular for a period.
“Well, I’ve been quite unpopular at Manchester United due to the numerous changes we’ve made. But in my opinion, they are for the better.
“And I think we are starting to see some signs at the football club that this is beginning to bear fruit.”
On the field, Benjamin Sesko expressed his belief that his late-game intervention at West Ham demonstrates that United possesses the determination to compete for a Champions League position.
Sesko entered the match as a substitute in the 69th minute at the London Stadium, with his team trailing after Tomas Soucek’s goal shortly after the break.
However, with 96 minutes played, Bryan Mbeumo delivered a cross, and Sesko managed to connect with a toe poke to score a remarkable volley and secure a 1-1 draw.
“It was just one of those matches that was not going to be straightforward because they were particularly compact, focusing on counter-attacks,” the Slovenian striker told MUTV.
“It’s something we need to learn from. I think everyone was eager, everyone was striving to win the game, to score, to support one another.
“Unfortunately, that did not occur, but at least we achieved a draw, which is significant in the end.
“I felt fantastic because I know that, once again, I could assist the team by securing at least one point.
“It’s a wonderful feeling for me as well, knowing that I can contribute to the team in various situations. Obviously, I couldn’t do it without my teammates. So I look forward to more moments like this.
“We are committed to one another. We are doing everything possible to win matches and secure a Champions League spot because we believe we have the capability to do so.
“We possess the quality, and yes, we will strive towards it. Unfortunately, the match unfolded as it did. Now we must focus on the next game and aim for a victory.”
