Gary Neville claims Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already proven his Glazers point

18 February 2024 , 20:39

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been making his presence felt at Manchester United (Image: PA)

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the quick changes made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe are underlining the issues he expressed with the Glazer family before the billionaire's arrival.

Ratcliffe's acquisition of a 25 percent stake in United was confirmed on Christmas Eve, with the INEOS chief since making multiple trips to Old Trafford and Carrington. There have also been changes behind the scenes, with Omar Berrada hired as CEO and efforts being made to land Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth.

Neville hasn't been afraid to take aim at majority owners the Glazers during their near-two-decade stint. Despite the American family remaining in the picture, Ratcliffe is taking charge of footballing matters and making his presence felt.

The defender-turned pundit was back on Sky Sports for their coverage of United's win at Luton on Sunday. There, he raised the subject of the Glazers again, but purely to emphasise how much has changed so quickly under Ratcliffe.

"It was getting to the point where Manchester United analysts were getting mocked for mentioning the Glazers everytime they lost a football match," Neville said. "People would say ‘Well the Glazers aren’t the nes playing football’.

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"But for 10 years, every Manchester United manager operated without a CEO, without a sporting director, without a director of football. That is madness, forget negligence, that’s just madness!

"Obviously Jim Ratcliffe is coming in and appointing a CEO that has actually been at a football club before and everyone is applauding him for it - that’s staggering! I can’t believe it hasn’t happened already, it’d never be allowed to happen at another club in the country."

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Gary Neville has spoken about the Glazers in the past

Things have continued to go well for United on the pitch as well. Erik teh Hag's side have 16 points from seven matches since Ratcliffe's arrival was announced, with victory at Luton on Sunday making it four wins on the spin.

Rasmus Hojlund scored both of United's goals at Kenilworth Road, opening the scoring in the first minute and diverting home a wayward Alejandro Garnacho shot in the seventh. Carlton Morris pulled one back and Ross Barkley clipped the bar late on, but Ten Hag's men held on.

Ten Hag was also asked about the takeover during a post-match interview with Sky Sports. "I have very good contacts. I know what's going on," the former Ajax boss said.

"For Manchester United, it is very good. It's highly ambitious. They are good people coming in. We are the project and they can help us and support us to accelerate this project."

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Tom Victor