Manchester United players react to Jim Ratcliffe’s remarks
Manchester United players have shown little concern in response to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe on immigration, in which the British billionaire asserted that the UK had been ‘colonised by migrants’, reports BritPanorama.
During an interview with Sky News, the 71-year-old Ratcliffe stated, “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.” He further emphasized this view by claiming, “The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”
His statements triggered substantial backlash, raising fears among the majority owners of Manchester United, the Glazers, about potential difficulties in attracting sponsors due to the fallout from Ratcliffe’s comments. Concerns also emerged regarding how these remarks could complicate funding efforts for the club’s planned new stadium.
In the wake of the controversy, Ratcliffe issued a partial apology, acknowledging the unintended offense caused by his choice of words. United subsequently released a statement attempting to disassociate the club from his views, which many players fear could impact the diverse international squad within the team.
Despite the situation, former United chief Mick Brown remarked that players are likely unfazed by Ratcliffe’s comments, noting that they “understand that his views aren’t reflective of the club.” He stated, “They’re intelligent lads and they know that his opinions do not represent the majority at Old Trafford.” Brown also highlighted the embarrassment of having to consider how an owner’s political statements might affect the players.
As Ratcliffe prepares to participate in the search for a new manager after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January, Michael Carrick currently stands out as the leading candidate following a successful interim period. Other potential candidates include Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s current national coach, and former Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi.
This incident serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between sport and societal issues, underscoring how easily personal views can ripple through a club’s culture, affecting players from diverse backgrounds.
