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Ratcliffe receives a reality check as United fall short

- David McDonnell

IN THE week Sir Jim Ratcliffe declared his ambition to knock Manchester City and Liverpool off their perch, this was a brutal reality check.

Toppling Manchester United's biggest rivals may be the long-term aim for new co-owner Ratcliffe, but he needs to set his immediate sights lower on the basis of this abject display.

After an unbeaten start to 2024, including five straight wins in all competitions, United's familiar failings returned with a 10th Premier League defeat of the season.

Given their dominance and the chances they created, Fulham should have won it long before Alex Iwobi's goal in stoppage-time earned them the first victory at Old Trafford for 21 years.

Tellingly, Ratcliffe chose not to endorse Erikten Hag as the manager to lead United in the long run when he conducted his tub-thumping round of media interviews last week.