06 MANCHESTER UNITED’S FIRST FULL SEASON UNDER SIR JIM
Manchester United fans rejoiced when, at last, the deal went through. On February 20, British billionaire and lifelong Red Devil Sir Jim Ratcliffe officially acquired an initial 27.7 per cent stake in the club, with footballing operations immediately placed under his control. Yes, supporters preferred a complete sale by the Glazer family, but it was a step in the right direction.
“Everyone was really excited when it finally got over the line,” former Manchester United defender Wes Brown tells FFT. “Sir Jim represents a chance for real change after years of stagnation. We’ve not been competing at the very top for far too long.”
Flanked by Sir Dave Brailsford, the former British Cycling chief and now INEOS director of sport, Ratcliffe has vowed to lead the club into an exciting new era. The future of Old Trafford is under discussion and a £50m revamp of the club’s Carrington training complex is already underway, though there has been controversy surrounding the displaced men’s team taking over dedicated academy and women’s facilities. A plan to lay off 250 club staff didn’t go down well.
A number of key backroom figures have come in. Ex-Manchester City big shot Omar Berrada is chief executive, sporting director Dan Ashworth, once FA decision-maker-in-chief has finally worked through a severance package with Newcastle, and ex-Blackburn Premier League winner Jason Wilcox, a key man behind the scenes at Southampton and City, is the new technical director.
Ashworth will be primarily responsible for Manchester United’s transfer dealings. His brief is clear. “It’s not that clever buying Kylian Mbappe, anyone can figure that one out,” said Ratcliffe.
