Manchester United’s financial situation has been laid bare by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a series of bombshell interviews, revealing the club was on the brink of financial collapse and would run out of money by Christmas 2025 if drastic measures weren’t taken.
As part of his cost-cutting approach, Ratcliffe has defended recent unpopular decisions, addressed the squad’s issues, and outlined a grand vision for a new stadium that aims to be the best in the world
‘No Money Left’
Ratcliffe has revealed that United’s reckless spending over the last seven years left the club in an unsustainable financial position. He stated that even after injecting £300 million into the club last year, without immediate changes, United would have gone bust by the end of 2025.
“In super simple terms, the club has been spending more money than it’s been earning now for the last seven years, and it ends in a very difficult place,” Ratcliffe told The Times. “That place ended at the end of this year, with the club running out of cash. That is the fact of the matter.”
To address these concerns, drastic cost-cutting measures have been implemented, including axing up to 450 jobs, reducing spending on perks such as free lunches for staff, and increasing ticket prices. These decisions have drawn criticism from fans, but Ratcliffe insists they’re necessary to stabilise the club’s finances and ensure future success.
Jim Ratcliffe says Man Utd would have "run out of money at the end of this year" :grimacing:
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! :bomb: (@Bet9jaOfficial) March 11, 2025
Imagine Real Madrid running out of money :joy: pic.twitter.com/fqLgCjkXvu
The Squad ‘Not Good Enough’
Ratcliffe did not hold back in his criticism of the squad, stating that some players are “not good enough” and “overpaid.” He specifically named Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Rasmus Højlund, and André Onana, pointing out that United are still paying hefty instalments on their transfers.
“If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Højlund, we’re buying Sancho,” he explained. “These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.”
Sancho, currently on loan at Chelsea, is still costing United millions, as the club must pay £17m in instalments for him this summer while also covering part of his wages. Antony is in a similar situation, out on loan at Real Betis after failing to live up to his £81m price tag. Højlund, Onana, and Casemiro have all struggled too, and Ratcliffe has made it clear that United will need time to fix their squad.
The INEOS chief did however praise captain Bruno Fernandes, calling him a “fabulous footballer” and stating he is one of the few players United absolutely need to keep.
Backing Ruben Amorim
Despite United’s struggles this season, Ratcliffe has given his full support to manager Ruben Amorim, even claiming he likes it when he tells him to f**k off.
When probed on whether he feels that the former Sporting boss is the manager to revive United, Ratcliffe explained: “Yeah, I do, honestly. I really, really like Ruben. He’s a very thoughtful guy. Every time I go to the training ground, I speak to Ruben. I sit down and have a cup of coffee with him and tell him where it’s going wrong, and he tells me to f**k off. I like him.”
“If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job, to be honest,” Ratcliffe continued. “I think that Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.”
New £2bn Stadium Plans Unveiled
Alongside fixing the club’s finances, Ratcliffe has also unveiled an ambitious project to build a brand-new 100,000-capacity stadium near Old Trafford, which he hopes will be “the world’s greatest football stadium.”
The club have confirmed their intention to leave their historic home of 115 years in favour of this state-of-the-art venue, which will sit adjacent to the current Old Trafford site. The cost of the stadium is estimated at £2bn, with construction expected to be completed within five years.
Designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, the stadium will be covered by a vast “umbrella” structure supported by three towers resembling the trident in United’s badge. It will include a wraparound scoreboard, a three-storey museum, and a canal-side fan village featuring restaurants and entertainment spaces.
Additionally, the stadium will be a major driver for economic growth in Manchester, with estimates suggesting it will create 92,000 jobs, 17,000 new homes, and contribute £7.3bn to the UK economy.
What’s Next for United?
With the club undergoing a period of major transformation both on and off the pitch, Ratcliffe remains optimistic about the future. He is targeting a return to Premier League title contention by 2028, coinciding with United’s 150th anniversary.
“The club’s going to finish up in a very, very different place in three years’ time,” he stated. “I think it will become the most profitable club in the world. I think we may well finish up with the most iconic football stadium in the world, and I think we will finish up winning silverware again.”
Ambitious plans from the Man Utd owner, but can they get past Real Sociedad at Old Trafford on Thursday? Bet on the match right here!
