Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s inflammatory remarks about immigration have left senior figures at Manchester United feeling “mortified,” as the club scrambles to contain the fallout from the co-owner’s controversial television appearance.
The petrochemicals billionaire provoked widespread condemnation during a Sky News interview on Wednesday, declaring that Britain had been “colonised by immigrants” who were “costing too much money.”
By Thursday morning, officials at Old Trafford were urgently assessing the damage caused by Ratcliffe’s comments, according to the Daily Mail.
Those close to the club have described the situation as deeply troubling, with immediate concerns centring on both the diverse playing squad and the ambitious plans for a new £2billion stadium development.
The squad composition underscores the sensitivity of Ratcliffe’s remarks, with just seven players from the current 26-man first-team roster having been born in the UK.
Those British-born players are Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, Tom Heaton, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Ayden Heaven and Tyler Fredricson, meaning the overwhelming majority of the squad hails from overseas and contributes substantial sums in taxation.
Interim boss Michael Carrick, already under pressure as he fights to secure Champions League qualification, is expected to speak with his players about the controversy
The manager will likely need to reassure squad members that Ratcliffe’s views do not reflect the sentiment within the dressing room.
Beyond the immediate dressing room concerns, Ratcliffe’s outburst threatens to derail the club’s ambitious vision for a futuristic 100,000-capacity ground dubbed the “Wembley of the North.”
Securing government backing for the project is essential, particularly for infrastructure development around the proposed Old Trafford replacement.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham holds the key to unlocking that funding.
Under his leadership, the city centre has undergone remarkable transformation, and his support is widely considered indispensable to the stadium scheme proceeding.
Just last month, the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation launched with targets of 15,000 new homes and 48,000 local jobs.
However, Burnham issued a scathing response on Thursday, demanding Ratcliffe withdraw his comments, stating they “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood.”
The mayor also appeared to criticise United’s majority shareholders, the Glazer family, suggesting criticism should instead target “those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer demanded an apology from Ratcliffe, while justice minister Jake Richards accused the billionaire of hypocrisy.
“There’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save £4billion in tax is now lecturing us about immigration,” Richards told Times Radio.
Ratcliffe subsequently expressed regret, though his statement came with caveats.
“I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth,” he said.
United are next in action against Everton on February 23 (8pm).
They’ll go into the showdown on the back of a 1-1 draw with West Ham.
Benjamin Sesko scored at the death to earn a point in that match at the London Stadium.
