Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has warned that he would walk away from the club if the backlash against him reaches the levels of abuse faced by the Glazer family.
Ratcliffe, who acquired a 29% stake in United last year for a reported £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion), has come under increasing scrutiny from fans following the team’s poor performances, ticket price hikes, and significant staffing cuts.
While he has not yet experienced the same hostility as the Glazers—whose 2005 leveraged takeover of the club has been a long-standing source of protest—Ratcliffe admitted he has barely seen them since completing his deal.
“I can put up with it for a while,” Ratcliffe told the Sunday Times. “I don’t mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we’re having to make.
“But if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I’d have to say, look, enough’s enough guys, let somebody else do this.”
Expectations that Ratcliffe’s involvement would spark a new era of success have yet to materialise. The club has struggled in the Premier League, while costly decisions—including extending Erik ten Hag’s contract before sacking him in October—have drawn criticism.
New manager Ruben Amorim has so far failed to deliver significant improvements, and Ratcliffe’s recent comments suggesting some players are “overpaid” and “not good enough” have caused further unrest.
Meanwhile, United announced ambitious plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium at an estimated cost of £2 billion. The billionaire acknowledged the challenges ahead but made it clear he would not tolerate prolonged hostility.
“The Glazers can’t really come to a match anymore. They’ve retreated into the shadows, so I’m getting all the stick,” he said. “At the moment, I don’t have security, but if it got to that level, it just wouldn’t be fun anymore.”
