‘Dictatorship’ claim made about Sir Jim Ratcliffe as Man Utd co-owner rings the changes at Old Trafford

Ratcliffe has instituted a number of cost-cutting measures at United,including an email in which multiple employees at the club were offered redundancy. He has also insisted that employees move away from working from home and return to the office.

Now, former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has insisted that Ratcliffe is attempting to institute a “dictatorship” as he bids to flex his muscles as a new minority owner. Wyness believes that the billionaire can no longer run United in a similar fashion to that of his business, INEOS.

Wyness told Football Insider: “He’s got into the club and he’s got his feet under the table, and it’s been a couple of months since the whole thing was approved. Ratcliffe obviously doesn’t like what he sees. Whether that’s a knee-jerk reaction, I don’t know. But ever since he and his team have got near the building, he’s felt there’s too much waste, not enough engagement, not enough spirit.

“He could be trying to compare it to his INEOS business, which would be a mistake. Football clubs are a lot more organic than industrial businesses – there are huge differences. Football is so heavily reliant on human beings. Whether that’s a knee-jerk reaction, I don’t know. But ever since he and his team have got near the building, he’s felt there’s too much waste, not enough engagement, not enough spirit.

“He could be trying to compare it to his INEOS business, which would be a mistake. Football clubs are a lot more organic than industrial businesses – there are huge differences. Football is so heavily reliant on human beings.”

United are now on their summer holidays but Ratcliffe clearly believes he has plenty of work to do. It remains to be seen how much he will be willing to invest into the playing staff this summer.