Sir Jim Ratcliffe admits that Manchester United is a massive sporting challenge | OneFootball

Manchester United’s part owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has claimed that rebuilding Manchester United is a massive challenge.

INEOS’ deal to take over the reins at Old Trafford was made official in December and they have made some good progress in their behind the scenes appointments.

Omar Berrada was enticed away from rivals Manchester City to become the new CEO. Jason Wilcox has been appointed the technical director and has already started work at the club.

Dan Ashworth is frustratingly still tied up in legal disputes with his former employers, Newcastle United, but he will eventually become the club’s new sporting director.

INEOS have also set up a regeneration taskforce to discuss proposals around the future of Old Trafford after years of neglect by the Glazer family.

However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is acutely aware of the sheer scale of the job facing the new owners to return Manchester United back to the top of English and European football.

Speaking to Sky Sports he claimed, “Man United is another sporting challenge and it’s a very big one obviously. Probably one of the biggest ones in the world.”

The English billionaire once again reiterated his stance that United’s new stadium should be part government funded and become a Wembley of the North.

“I think there’s a very good case in my view for having a stadium in the north which would serve the northern part of the country in the area of football. You know, you have the number of Champions Leagues the North West has won, it’s won ten while London has two, yet everybody has to schlep down to London to watch a big football match.”

The stadium issue is just one of the numerous ones that the chemicals company have to face with their new sporting project. The leaking roof was on full display last Sunday and regardless of whether they decide to rebuild or to redevelop the stadium, it will be an expensive undertaking after years of negligence.

The stadium problems may be a metaphor for the decline of the club but they pale into insignificance when compared to the on-field issues.

The club has just finished their worst-ever Premier League season in eighth position and finished the campaign with a pathetic minus one goal difference.

They have conceded silly goals all season and this has cost them a place in any European competition next season as even the Conference League has proven out of reach after the side’s embarrassing efforts.

The FA Cup provides an avenue to silverware and Europa League qualification but not even the most optimistic fan would think there is more than a slim chance of this version of United defeating the four-times Premier League champions, Manchester City.

As a result of poor performances, INEOS have reportedly made all but four of the first team available for transfer should the right bid come in. They know there is a long rebuild ahead of the club.

PSR restrictions will also surely slow down progress as United cannot just spend vast swathes of money to solve the problem as they have tried to do in the past. Moreover, the Premier League is a dog-eat-dog world with new rivals like Aston Villa chomping at the bit to replace United at the top table of English football, if they haven’t already.

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