Sir Jim Ratcliffe compares stark contrast in transfer expenditure between Manchester United and Real Madrid
INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe pointed out the stark difference in spending between Manchester United and Real Madrid in a recent interview. The Red Devils haven't been anywhere near the times that they saw under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Under the Scottish coach, the Manchester outfit won 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies, among other honors.
However, since Ferguson left the club in the summer of 2013, things have gone horribly downhill for the Red Devils. They've won two FA Cups in this 11-year period while failing to clinch the Premier League or Champions League trophies.
Hinting at the fact that spending in the right manner could be a factor in this decline, Sir Jim Ratcliffe said (via @mufcMPB):
"Manchester United's net spend since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill is £1.1billion. Real Madrid's is £200 million. Today they have six or seven players valued at over £100 million. United have none. And they have made the new Bernabeu."
Despite this gap, Manchester United have failed to deliver, while Real Madrid recorded their 15th UEFA Champions League trophy this season. The Red Devils finished eighth in the Premier League this year and were even knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages.
Although they finished the season with an FA Cup final win against Manchester City, far better performances will be expected in the coming campaign.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe says Erik ten Hag is not the problem at Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe clarified in a recent interview that Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wasn't the reason for the club's poor performances. These comments were made after the Dutch coach was linked with an Old Trafford exit this summer.
Ten Hag came to Manchester United in the summer of 2022 and has delivered one Carabao Cup and FA Cup each to date. In an interview with Bloomberg, Sir Jim Ratcliffe said (via Mirror):
"The coach isn't the central issue. It's a sports club. It needs to be competitive, it needs a degree of intensity, but with a supportive side to it because you are dealing with players who are relatively young. It hasn't had that type of environment historically."
The make of this Red Devils squad is fairly young, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo (19) and Rasmus Hojund (21) regularly in the starting lineup. Now, the club are also reported to be interested in 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro (via Fichajes.net).