DIM RATCLIFFE

Unloveable at United... now Sir Jim is public enemy No.1 across whole country

- JEREMY CROSS CHIEF SPORTS WRITER

MAKING Manchester United more hated takes some doing.

But Sir Jim Ratcliffe has managed it. And it could be his most startling achievement since becoming a co-owner of the club in 2024.

His 'Gerald Ratner moment' won't bring the club to the brink of bankruptcy, as happened to the jewellers after Ratner decided to label his products as 'crap' in 1991.

But in denigrating an entire nation, let alone a single retail outlet like Ratner did, Ratcliffe has given all those who despise United a humongous stick with which to continue beating them.

United have never been - and never will be - someone's second favourite team.