LACK OF PROGRESS UNDER RATCLIFFE

Co-owner’s ambitious plans have failed to reverse the Red Devils’ declining fortunes

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Ruben Amorim’s sacking by Manchester United has exposed the dismal lack of progress since Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival as co-owner promised a new dawn.

The Portuguese was the latest manager unable to turn the tide at Old Trafford, where there has been more than a decade of decline since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

The legendary Scot stood down after winning the club’s 20th English league crown following two decades of domestic dominance gilded by European success.

Since then, United have not seriously competed to win the English Premier League or Champions League, despite a succession of big-name managers.

Amorim is the first boss to be hired and axed since Ratcliffe took control of the club’s football operations after acquiring a minority stake in the Red Devils. The 40-year-old was dismissed with the club sixth in the English Premier League, two days before United face Burnley away on Jan 7.

The British billionaire’s arrival in February 2024 was greeted with glee by supporters desperate to see a new face at the helm after years of underachievement under the Glazer family, who still own a majority stake.