Man United Co-Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Slammed Over ‘Mad’ Decisions Since Old Trafford Takeover

Jim Ratcliffe Man United owner| IMAGO

Man United Co-Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Slammed Over ‘Mad’ Decisions Since Old Trafford Takeover

Joel Omotto 07:05 - 27.06.2025

Manchester United boss Sir Jim Ratfcliffe has been criticized for his 'dysfunctional' management of the club since taking over football operations at Old Trafford in early 2024.

Sir David Murray, a former Glasgow Rangers owner who nearly bought Manchester United in 1989, has sharply criticised Sir Jim Ratcliffe's management of the club, calling it "dysfunctional" and "madness."

Murray, whose Rangers tenure saw the club win 35 trophies, told Mail Sport that he was baffled by some of the decisions being made at Old Trafford.

He specifically pointed to Casemiro's exorbitant £370,000-a-week salary while simultaneously cost-cutting measures, like replacing staff lunches with free fruit, were being implemented.

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"Without being disrespectful," Murray said, "whatever United are doing now is dysfunctional. The guy Ratcliffe has come in… and how anyone can pay Casemiro that kind of money and take food off the staff and get rid of the backroom staff. That’s shoot-your-head stuff. Why would anybody do that?"

Ratcliffe Has Defended Cost-Cutting Measures

Ratcliffe has defended the cost-cutting, stating, "No one ever gave me free lunches." However, Murray, referencing Ratcliffe's ownership of the Grangemouth refinery, which Ratcliffe claims is financially unviable, drew a distinction between the two businesses.

"This is not a gasoline terminal. This isn't Grangemouth. It's a business thing," Murray argued.

Murray, who nearly purchased half of United and installed Graeme Souness as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, expressed concern about the direction of the club under Ratcliffe's part-ownership.

"The boy Ratcliffe has put his money in for a third [of United] and though I don’t want to be criticising him, he’s got to watch he doesn’t rip the heart and soul out of the club," he warned.

"Because that’s what’s made Manchester United, like it’s made Rangers. It’s the people."