Sir Jim Ratcliffe has explained why INEOS have made three “unpopular” Man United decisions

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already explained why INEOS have made three “unpopular” decisions at Manchester United in recent weeks.

Ratcliffe, 71, and his INEOS team took charge at United earlier this year and have made several positive changes since then.

The behind-the-scenes structure has been revamped, and experts such as Dan Ashworth and Omar Berrada have joined the club.

There has also been investment into the stadium and training ground while a task force assesses the best long-term strategy in terms of Old Trafford.

However, on the other hand, there have also been some unpopular moves in recent weeks.

Ratcliffe explained that his focus was not yet on the women’s team, and that has been displayed through their treatment in recent months.

The new co-owner and his team will also be making almost a quarter of their 1100-strong workforce redundant, which has caused a backlash, especially after Ratcliffe had told workers they could no longer work from home, so they changed their schedules.

Finally, there have been reports of a plan to sell the stadium’s naming rights after Ratcliffe previously detailed that he would never do so.

These unpopular decisions have all been criticised by many within the fanbase, but Ratcliffe explained beforehand that he would need to make unpopular decisions.

Speaking to Bloomberg last month, Ratcliffe said: “I think you probably have to do some unpopular things to get those types of issues dealt with. It’s like at Manchester United, I’m having to do some things which are unpopular.

“I mean, I think at the end of the day, doing difficult things, and you know, a degree of unpopularity, in a funny sort of way, might make you more popular. 

“Because somebody’s seeing that you’re standing up and making some difficult decisions rather than just sort of blowing with the wind a bit.”

After years with no direct plans under the Glazer leadership, it is refreshing to see major changes being made, but Ratcliffe will be hoping that the more unpopular ones prove to be the right ones because there is clear opposition at this moment.

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