Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe says “difficult and unpopular decisions” needed at club
Ten Hag was offered a contract extension this summer following a post-season review but was let go in October.
“I know we will get criticism from the media but we do need to challenge the cost of running this club because what I wish we had the freedom to do is buy really good footballers and not spend so much money on infrastructure,” he said.
“We can’t run the business at a loss and that’s where Manchester United has been over the past few years. If you lose money, you have to borrow from the banks to cover the losses. Eventually, the situation becomes unsustainable.”
Ratcliffe announced a partial takeover of United just before Christmas last year and was welcomed by almost all supporters who believed he had to be an upgrade on the unpopular Glazers.
Team USA has handed nearly all soccer-related decisions over to Ratcliffe and his team, which now includes CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason · Wilcox.
It means Ineos owners are continuing talks over the possibility of building a new stadium, although that decision has been delayed until 2025.
It also meant he was criticized for the unpopular decisions he had to make.
The fare increase is the latest.
Ratcliffe believes this is a move United must make, although he acknowledges that many of the supporters attending games are from working-class Manchester and do not have large amounts of disposable income.
“I understand,” he said. “I grew up on a council estate in Manchester.
“I don’t want to end up in a situation where real local fans can’t afford to come, but I do want to optimize ticketing.
“We need to find a balance – you can’t be popular all the time. Here we are talking about three per cent of tickets. I don’t think it makes sense for Manchester United to have tickets for less than a dollar.” Fulham tickets. “
