Man Utd players 'not good enough and overpaid' admits Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United, has publicly criticized the current state of the club's squad, admitting that some players are "not good enough" to represent the club and are "overpaid."

In a revealing interview, Ratcliffe highlighted the financial and performance issues inherited by his management team when they took control of football operations in February 2024.

He emphasized that rectifying these problems will be a lengthy process, as the club transitions from past mismanagement to a future where his team is fully accountable for the squad's composition.

Ratcliffe specifically pointed out the ongoing financial burdens from previous transfer dealings, noting that Manchester United are still paying off significant sums for players signed before his tenure.

Among the examples cited, he mentioned a £17 million payment due in the summer for Jadon Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea while United continue to cover half of his wages. This example underscores the scale of the financial mismanagement Ratcliffe believes has plagued the club.

When pressed on whether certain players are not of the required quality for Manchester United, Ratcliffe responded candidly, stating, "Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time."

This statement reflects his frustration with the inherited squad and his determination to overhaul the club's recruitment strategy to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

The interview comes at a time when Manchester United are struggling on the pitch, currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League with only 34 points after 27 games.

Despite the team's poor performance, Ratcliffe expressed support for current manager Ruben Amorim, suggesting that the Portuguese coach is doing a "really good job" given the limitations of the squad he inherited.

Ratcliffe's comments indicate a long-term vision, with a pledge to deliver silverware by 2028, marking the club's 150th anniversary.

Ratcliffe's critique is part of a broader narrative of cost-cutting and restructuring at Manchester United. Since acquiring a minority stake in the club, he has implemented significant changes, including redundancies, ticket price increases, and the removal of staff perks, all aimed at stabilizing the club's finances.

These measures, while controversial, are seen by Ratcliffe as necessary to prevent financial collapse, with claims that the club could have gone bust by Christmas without such interventions.