Sir Jim Ratcliffe compares woeful Man Utd squad to second-worst F1 team Williams as he rants about lack of quality
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has sent a devastating warning to incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim after comparing his squad to struggling Formula One giants, Williams.
The Red Devils currently sit 13th in the Premier League with Ruud van Nistelrooy in charge on an interim basis after Erik ten Hag’s eventual sacking.
United have won just three of their opening TEN league games and are winless in Europe – despite splashing a staggering £200million on new talent in the summer transfer window.
Their season was epitomised by a disturbingly sub-par performance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to an equally-disappointing Chelsea.
There is cause for optimism, though, with in-demand Sporting boss Amorim agreeing to hop on board the sinking Man Utd ship.
The Portuguese boss, 39, will officially take over on November 11.
But now, in a stark warning to Ten Hag’s successor, Ineos CEO and Man Utd part owner Ratcliffe has launched an incredible attack on his own side.
United’s transfer outlay in the past decade is a staggering £1.8BILLION – but despite that, the Old Trafford chief has slammed his squad’s lack of quality.
Speaking during his Ineos Britannia’s defeat in the Americas Cup shortly before Ten Hag’s sacking, Ratcliffe said: “I think there’s one little crossover [between sailing and football].
“You can’t win the America’s Cup, unless you arrive at the America’s Cup with a boat that could win the America’s Cup.
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“It’s the same in Formula One. I mean, you put Max Verstappen in a Williams, he’s not going to win a Formula One championship.
“And with football it’s the same with the squad in a way. That’s the parallel for me.”
In a brutal conclusion, Ratcliffe admitted: “You can’t win anything in football if your squad isn’t good enough to win something.
“The quality of the squad is a bit like the speed of the boat. That’s the only parallel really.”
To put Ratcliffe’s comments into perspective, Williams have picked up just 17 points from 21 races, with only Kick Sauber below them in the constructor standings. Leaders McLaren, by comparison, have 593 points.
Having spent around £600m during Ten Hag’s two-year stint, Ratcliffe is right to feel concerned.
In fact, club legend Gary Neville claims the club have only made ONE decent signing in the past decade: now-captain Bruno Fernandes.
United showed signs of a ‘new manager bump’ in Wednesday’s 5-2 Carabao Cup win over Leicester.
The attacking impetus shown by the squad in Van Nistelrooy’s first game at the helm left fans purring.
However, the nature of the disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea, with a host of clear-cut chances missed and some baffling decisions in the final third ensured fans were brought back to earth with a bump.
Man Utd ratings vs Chelsea
MARTIN BLACKBURN gives his verdict on the Red Devils against Chelsea
Andre Onana – 5
Will be disappointed not to keep out Caicedo’s equaliser.
Almost put Casemiro in trouble with sloppy early pass too
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Key interception to prevent Neto getting in on goal late on and tried to support Garnacho where possible
Matthijs de Ligt – 6
Good early block to deny Palmer.
Late slip under pressure from Jackson almost proved costly.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Lucky not to concede a pen with clumsy challenge on Colwill and lucky to escape a red for x-rated late tackle on Palmer.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Poor tackle on Pedro Neto earned a deserved booking and had a real battle with his international team-mate.
Casemiro – 7
Made a difference with super ball to Hojlund in lead up to pen – but could he have got more distance on clearing header that was despatched by Moises Caicedo.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Rugby tackle on Palmer but Uruguayan showed signs he is starting to settle in after big money summer move.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Always a threat but wasted some great chances.
Shot straight at Sanchez and shanked another effort after great work by Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
Created United’s best two chances for Rashford and Garnacho and then kept his cool to score from the spot.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Hit the angle with volley on stroke of half-time and saw another shot saved by Sanchez.
Better from the England man.
Rasmus Hojlund – 6
Did not touch the ball in the Chelsea box first half but when he finally did he won the penalty.
Subs
Amad Diallo (73′ for Rashford)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Joshua Zirkzee (’84 for Hojlund)
A couple of nice touches but not much impact.
Victor Lindelof (’84 for Ugarte)
Thrown on to keep things tight and did that.
Van Nistelrooy will now take charge of games against PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester in the Prem before Amorim’s arrival.
Whether the incoming boss will be handed any budget to improve the team in the winter window remains to be seen.
However, if Ratcliffe’s comments are anything to by, United fans may well be treated to some new faces.