Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he will not endure relentless fan abuse, warning that if hostility towards him reaches the levels seen by the Glazers, he would step aside.
Ratcliffe, who acquired a 29 per cent stake in the club for £1.3 billion last year, has faced growing criticism over the team’s struggles, rising ticket prices, and staff layoffs.
While he acknowledges the frustration among supporters, he insists there is a limit to what he is willing to tolerate.
“I can put up with it for a while,” he told the Sunday Times. “I don’t mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United down where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we’re having to make at the moment.”
However, he cautioned that should the situation spiral to the point where it mirrors the treatment of the Glazer family, he would walk away.
“If it reached the extent that the Glazer family has been abused, then I’d have to say, look, enough’s enough guys, let somebody else do this.”
Since Ratcliffe’s arrival, hopes of a turnaround have yet to materialize. His decision to extend Erik ten Hag’s contract only to part ways with him in October, as well as the quick exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth, have been costly missteps.
Additionally, his remarks about certain players being “overpaid” and “not good enough” have sparked discontent within the squad.
Meanwhile, United recently unveiled ambitious plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium, estimated to cost £2 billion and take five years to complete.
Ratcliffe pointed out that the Glazers have been forced into the background due to intense fan hostility and admitted he does not want to find himself in a similar situation.
“They can’t really come to a match, the Glazers. They’ve retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I’m getting all the stick,” he said.
“At the moment, I don’t have security, I don’t have to walk around like that. But it would defeat the object, wouldn’t it? You couldn’t tolerate it at that level, it just wouldn’t be fun.”
