Recently, a circulating image sheds light on the contemporary state of Manchester United and the somewhat malicious joy others derive from their struggles.
The image is an adaptation of LS Lowry’s 1953 painting, “Going To The Match”: stick-like figures, smoking chimneys, and the backdrop of a bygone heavy industry in north-west England. However, this depiction doesn’t show football enthusiasts heading to the turnstiles; rather, it portrays them trying to leave. The caption cruelly dubs it “Previously unseen LS Lowry entitled ‘Old Trafford 65 minutes.’”
Supporters of England’s largest football club, despite its challenges, have become accustomed to humor at their expense over the past decade. With a championship drought of 10 years and no close attempts (two second-place finishes with 19 and 12 points adrift), there have even been mass walkouts during distressing moments, like the recent 3-0 home derby defeat by Manchester City.
Despite the hardships, the approximately 70,000 fans attending every game at Old Trafford have largely remained supportive. Under the U.S. ownership of the Glazer family, the club has teetered dangerously close to tragicomedy.
Every game sees a sellout, and Manager Erik ten Hag receives the crowd’s warmth, akin to his predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, and David Moyes. Despite brooding discontent and years of pent-up frustration, audible dissent from the crowd has been brief and sporadic.
The recent news that billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS will acquire a 25 per cent stake in United has ignited hope among the club’s supporters. They desperately want to believe this marks a change of direction or, at the very least, the beginning of something new.
This optimism is not unwarranted. After all, isn’t hope, belief, and the ability to visualize better times ahead the very essence of being a football fan? Without hope, what else remains?
Jim Ratcliffe’s Arrival: Hope or Hype for Manchester United’s Future?
The Glazer era, spanning 18 years and counting, has been described by Edward Freeman, the former commercial director of the club, as the destruction of Manchester United. He laments the once-beautiful football club being torn apart, labeling it a disaster. According to Freeman, the club has truly been destroyed. However, there’s a sense of skepticism about assuming that November 2023 will be a historically significant month in the club’s modern history.
Changes are anticipated behind the scenes at Manchester United, with several executives likely to face vulnerability following an audit conducted by Sir Dave Brailsford, the former performance director for British Cycling, on behalf of billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
With a personal fortune nearing £30 billion ($36.4 billion), Ratcliffe aims to revamp various departments within the club, especially considering the evident shortcomings in the football operation. The expectation is that a club of United’s magnitude and aspirations should have industry-leading professionals, which, according to Brailsford’s due diligence, is not currently the case.
Chief executive Richard Arnold is anticipated to depart, and there’s speculation that football director John Murtough may either follow suit or face a downgrade. Ratcliffe, seeking greater sporting control in exchange for his £1.3 billion investment, plans to bring in replacements. The existing workforce, including Manager Erik ten Hag, will be under scrutiny during the initial stages of this transitional period. Media aides working on Ratcliffe’s behalf aim to portray these changes as the initiation of a new and bold era for the club.
Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
At 71 years old, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the owner of the petrochemicals behemoth INEOS, a conglomerate that encompasses 36 businesses operating across 194 sites in 29 countries, employing over 26,000 individuals. Ratcliffe identifies as a lifelong supporter of Manchester United, citing Eric Cantona as his favorite player. Notably, for Ratcliffe’s 70th birthday last year, Cantona, along with David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson, contributed to a video in celebration of the occasion.
Tempering Expectations: Realistic Perspectives on the Anticipated Changes at Manchester United
The Glazers, the six children of the late Malcolm Glazer, who collectively own 69% of Manchester United, still maintain overall control of the club. The extent of influence they’ll grant someone who has essentially taken charge of a significant portion of the team remains uncertain. This situation is likened to taking over a section of a once-beautiful mansion in need of care and attention.
Chris Blackhurst, author of “The World’s Biggest Cash Machine: Manchester United, the Glazers And The Struggle for Football’s Soul,” expresses skepticism about the freedom that Jim Ratcliffe, the new investor, will be allowed. Blackhurst emphasizes the significant ownership stake retained by the Glazers, stating that in business terms, they hold the majority share and therefore wield substantial power, especially in key financial decisions like player acquisitions.
Blackhurst argues that the popular narrative of Ratcliffe magically fixing the club may be oversimplified. He contends that United requires a comprehensive overhaul, and he questions whether Ratcliffe’s involvement can truly facilitate that transformation. Blackhurst points out that Ratcliffe’s track record in sports ownership, particularly with football clubs Lausanne and Nice, does not showcase remarkable success. He highlights Ratcliffe’s appointment of Dave Brailsford, known for cycling success, to manage transfers at Nice, questioning Brailsford’s football expertise.
Blackhurst notes that the Glazers historically avoid partnerships and underscores Malcolm Glazer’s past as a difficult and ruthless business figure. Other voices, like Freeman, echo Blackhurst’s sentiments, expressing misgivings about the perceived overemphasis on Ratcliffe’s role in the media. Freeman suggests that Ratcliffe’s minority holding may not wield significant influence and urges fans to be realistic about where the true power lies, indicating that the situation may not necessarily lead to positive outcomes.
Protest Continues: United Fans Maintain Stand Against Glazer Ownership
At Old Trafford during a November match against Luton Town, where United secured a 1-0 win, the familiar sight of protest banners unfolded. Despite the victory, discontent among supporters persisted, and the protest focused on the ongoing grievances related to the Glazer ownership.
The location of the pre-match demonstration shifted, now positioned outside a corporate entrance where the Stretford End and Sir Alex Ferguson Stand converge. This shift aimed to emphasize concerns about regular fans being displaced in favor of what Roy Keane termed the “prawn sandwich brigade.” However, the turnout was notably smaller, with around 60 protesters compared to previous events that drew thousands. Some expressed frustration as onlookers opted for pictures rather than active participation.
Although the event went unnoticed by television cameras, a couple of journalists observed, signaling that this protest wasn’t as substantial as previous anti-Glazer campaigns. The possibility of “protest fatigue” was considered, given the frequency of such demonstrations. However, the article anticipates a resurgence in volume, attributing the enduring discontent to the core desire among fans for a complete break from the Glazers, rather than a partial sale of the club.
The departure of Ed Woodward in February of the previous year, who served as the Glazers’ key executive, did not bring about significant change in the eyes of The 1958, the collective organizing these protests. Despite the expected replacement of Woodward by Jean-Claude Blanc, a former Juventus executive, the Glazers continue to oversee the club remotely from Florida.
The article concludes by highlighting The 1958’s commitment to their cause, stating their intent to engage with local politicians, the Premier League, and the UK government, persisting in their protests against what they view as the “tyranny” of the current ownership. Their message emphasizes a dedication to building and unifying the fanbase until a change in ownership is realized.
