Jim Ratcliffe shows what his true Man Utd intentions are in honest fan meeting

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford meet Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford meet Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Sir Jim Ratcliffe met with Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) and members of the Fans' Advisory Board on Monday after making a £1.25billion investment in the club.

It was announced on Christmas Eve that the Ineos chief had struck a deal to buy a 25 per cent minority stake in United and he was at Old Trafford on Sunday as Erik ten Hag's side drew 2-2 with Tottenham.

Ratcliffe was pictured sitting alongside legendary former United manager and club director Sir Alex Ferguson and he has now conducted a series of meetings with staff, supporters and local civic leaders.

As part of the deal, Ratcliffe will take full control of the sporting side of the business and MUST revealed in a statement that their board members spent over an hour discussing "what needs to happen to restore United back to the top" with Ratcliffe, insisting he hasn't invested in his boyhood club to make money.

The fan group said they found it "very refreshing" that Ratcliffe was willing to sit down and speak with them given the deal has not yet been ratified by the Premier League, although the 71-year-old has said he expects everything to have been approved by "early to mid February".

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash eiqreikiqkdinvMarcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

"His main message was that everything at United needs to be ruthlessly focussed on creating winning teams on the field – something we are sure all fans will agree on," MUST said. "He also expressed the view that he views our club as a 'community asset' and stressed that his purpose in taking a share in United is not to make money.

"We were able to set out to Sir Jim what we think the key priorities are – a clear plan to get back to the top, putting in place a football structure with the right people in the right roles; an investment plan in both the teams and the stadium; and building a genuine and strong partnership with fans that supports success.

Jim Ratcliffe shows what his true Man Utd intentions are in honest fan meetingRatcliffe was at Old Trafford alongside Sir Alex Ferguson for United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham (Getty Images)

"We hope today's discussion is the start of an ongoing dialogue both with Sir Jim and his team. We all know the journey back for our Club is not a short one – and the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

"But most fans agree that the signals INEOS has sent in the last few weeks are encouraging. Continuing that dialogue on your behalf, to promote supporters interests, is number one priority for MUST in the months and years ahead."

Ratcliffe is planning to make some major changes and United have already been linked with a host of potential summer signings, with the likes of Joao Neves, Michael Olise and Brian Brobbey said to be on their radar

Matthew Cooper

Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United FC

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