Sir Jim Ratcliffe slams “real issue” for Man United after FA Cup semi-final vs Coventry

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has slammed a “real issue” for Manchester United and football after his team booked their place in the FA Cup final.

Victory against Coventry City in the semi-final does not tell the whole story. United bottled a three-goal lead and were inches away from losing the game in the 120th minute.

André Onana’s penalty heroics saved United the embarrassment of defeat, and they will now face Manchester City in the final of the competition for the second time in a row.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived late to Wembley after completing the London Marathon on Sunday. The co-owner appeared for the second half to sit alongside Avram Glazer in the stands.

Despite the difficulties on the pitch, both at Wembley and throughout the season, Ratcliffe has been frustrated with a certain aspect off the field at Old Trafford.

The British billionaire wants to bring in Omar Berrada and Dan Ashworth to join the club as the CEO and sporting director.

A deal has been agreed with Manchester City for Berrada to join, but the chief will not start his duties at Old Trafford until the summer, which is when his gardening period ends.

Meanwhile, a deal is yet to be struck with Newcastle for Ashworth, whose gardening period is significantly longer.

“It’s a long journey, really, the football, because one of the biggest problems we’ve got in football is you get these new guys to come into the team, really capable people, but they’re all on gardening leave,” explained Ratcliffe when speaking to BBC after completing the London Marathon.

“And so it takes you six months or a year or 18 months before they can (come in)… It’s a real issue in football, you know.

“To make a change, you need to bring some new people in.

“It can’t work for us. The fans are impatient, and, you know… I knew that, yeah. But it’s a journey, you know. People, whether they like it or not, they have to be a bit patient because, you know, it’s not a light switch. You can’t just turn it around like that. It takes a bit of time, you know. But I’m sure we will. We will.”