- Manchester United fan group The 1958 have attacked owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
- Since its acquisition, Ratcliffe has embarked on a series of cost-cutting measures.
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting! New line-up, some new faces, but optimism has faded at Old Trafford
A group of Manchester United fans have issued a statement offering a scathing assessment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's tenure at the club.
It has been just over twelve months since the Ineos boss' long-stated ambition to take charge of his boyhood club was realized, with the deal announced on Christmas Eve 2023.
Since taking over United's football operations, Ratcliffe has proven largely uncompromising in his attempt to revamp all aspects of the club.
A number of key additions have been made to the backroom staff, including former Manchester City boss Omar Berrada as chief executive.
However, significant cuts have also been made, including the recent controversial decision to end the club's £40,000 annual donation to a charity that helps support former United legends.
Ratcliffe has also taken a mid-season move to increase match day ticket prices to £66 per game – with no concessions for children or pensioners – while more than 250 club staff have been made redundant.
A group of Man United supporters have issued a scathing statement directed at Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The 72-year-old's cost-cutting initiatives have proven hugely unpopular with fans.
With things on the pitch still to improve, The 1958 issued a damning statement calling Ratcliffe's period at the club “a year of shame and disgrace” and calling on fans to hit back.
It said: 'A year of INEOS and Sir Jim promised much after the generational damage caused by the Glazer estate.
'Sir Jim declared that he wanted to “make Manchester Manchester United again.” Everyone thought a local lad would understand the community, the working class and the structure of our great club. Far from it, the embarrassing comments in the recent interview comparing United to Fulham back it up.
'Actions will always speak louder than words. All the evidence so far shows a different picture.
'Price increases for fans attending games. Elimination of concessions for children and retirees. Club staff lose jobs at all levels and save misery. The Ashworth debacle cost millions. Ticketing services affected by cuts (outside pickup). Moral of the club and hopes of the fans in the gutter. Delegate bonuses are eliminated and numbers reduced.
'You've seen the queues well (more on this another time). Donations to the charity supporting former United players were stopped without warning. Nothing more than a complete disregard for the fans and the very structure upon which our club was built.
'Sir Jim's cost-cutting strategy is nothing more than an affront to the working-class foundations our club was built on. It's a money-saving and foolish approach. Hitting those who need it most and can least afford it, those who have no voice, is an act of cowardice and shows a complete lack of understanding.
'An investor with strong convictions would address the real issues affecting the club. The Glazers. His mismanagement of the club for more than 20 years. Their crippling debt weighs on the club and the millions of pounds the club pays in interest payments each year.
“The strategy implemented to recover from the Glazers shit show is aimed at vulnerable factions of our fan base. Now we have the worst of both worlds. A top-down attack with the Glazers rampaging through the club and a bottom-up attack with the “local boy from Failsworth” taking advantage of those who can least afford it and have no say.
The statement states that the president of INEOS has shown “contempt” for the club's fans
The 1958 also alleged that Ratcliffe's measures had only worsened the state of the club following the hugely unpopular ownership of the Glazer family.
United are 14th in the Premier League, and Ruben Amorim has had a difficult start at the club
'This can't continue! We will not allow this to continue! If we don't do anything as a fan base. Then there will be no more rivalries and no more fan culture.
'Only tourists and businesses are happy to spend a day without emotional attachments.
'We are ready for the fight. Is it the Supporters Trust (how long are you going to stand by and do nothing)? Is it the fan base? In times of adversity and hardship, we must all seek light in each other.
'It's your choice. It's now or never. No matter who you are, underestimate the fans and Mancunians at your own risk.”
Thursday's defeat against Wolves condemned United to their eighth Premier League defeat of the season.
With just 22 points from their first 18 games, the 20-time top-flight champions are closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
United return to action on Monday night when they host Eddie Howe's Newcastle.