Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is facing calls to “must go” from his role, following recent comments on the UK’s immigration levels and economic state. The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) issued a statement of “no confidence” in the club’s ownership, describing Ratcliffe’s latest remarks as “deeply disappointing and completely unacceptable”.

Man Utd Fan Group Demands Change

The MUMSC’s strong condemnation comes after Sir Jim, founder of petrochemical giant Ineos and a significant shareholder in Manchester United since 2024, made comments to the BBC that the UK was “on the slide” due to a combination of high taxes and high immigration. He further argued that nobody was “tough enough” to deal with these issues, according to BBC Sport. The fan group noted this was not the first time Ratcliffe’s views had caused controversy.

In February, Ratcliffe apologised for “offending some people” after saying the UK had been “colonised by immigrants”. Manchester United responded then by stating the club “prides itself” on being “inclusive”, with sources familiar with the Glazer family reportedly “horrified” by his initial remarks and seeing them as showing “disregard for their ownership”.

“We condemned those comments then,” the MUMSC statement read. “He subsequently apologised for his choice of language. We hoped a lesson had been learned. Clearly, it has not.” The group emphasised the diverse nature of Manchester United, stating: “Manchester United’s players, staff, stewards, security teams and supporters come from different countries, cultures, ethnicities, religions and backgrounds… That diversity isn’t a weakness of Manchester United. It is part of Manchester United.”

The MUMSC also extended its call for change to include the Glazer family, expressing that Ratcliffe’s arrival had been hoped to signal “meaningful change” after years of decline under the current majority owners. Their concerns now encompass “higher ticket prices,” a “stadium allowed to deteriorate,” and “a football team that continues to fall further behind where Manchester United should be.” The group concluded, “Enough is enough. It is time for change. The Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe must go.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Broader Critique of the UK Economy

Sir Jim, who has been a tax resident in Monaco since 2020 and campaigned for Leave in the 2016 European Union referendum, elaborated on his lack of confidence in the UK in an interview with the BBC. He described the country as “on the slide” and criticised the UK’s approach to North Sea oil and gas, calling the failure to invest further “insanity.” He also warned of a potential gas shortage this winter due to low storage levels and suggested that the “politics of envy” in the UK was driving wealth creators away.

In response to the billionaire’s criticism, a government spokesperson stated they are working to deliver growth, noting an increase in business investment over the last two years, and expressed confidence in the UK’s security of gas supply, citing a diverse energy mix.

Ratcliffe’s comments about the UK’s past, stating it “had the greatest empire in the world” and “won two world wars,” underscored his view that the country had once been “a fantastic place” but was now burdened by high immigration and welfare spending that politicians were “not tough enough” to address.

Implications for Manchester and North West Football

The controversy arises as Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been actively restructuring Manchester United since acquiring a 27.7% stake in 2024. This has included overseeing 450 redundancies, overhauling senior management, and sacking two managers. On the pitch, Manchester United currently sits 13th in the Premier League after four games and recently exited the Carabao Cup following a 3-2 home defeat to Brighton.

The strong reaction from the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club highlights the growing tension between a significant section of the fanbase and the club’s ownership, particularly concerning statements that impact the club’s perceived values of diversity and inclusion. For North West football, these developments underscore the increasing scrutiny on club ownership and their broader public statements.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What specific comments did Sir Jim Ratcliffe make about the UK?

  A: Sir Jim Ratcliffe stated the UK was “on the slide” due to high taxes and high immigration. He also said nobody was “tough enough” to deal with immigration and people receiving benefits, and criticised the lack of investment in North Sea oil and gas.

• Q: What is the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club’s demand?

  A: The MUMSC has called for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to “must go” from Manchester United ownership, along with the Glazer family, expressing “no confidence” in the current ownership structure.

• Q: What other concerns did the fan group raise about Manchester United?

  A: Beyond Ratcliffe’s comments, MUMSC cited concerns over higher ticket prices, a deteriorating stadium, and the football team’s declining performance as reasons for their loss of confidence in the ownership.