Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has spoken out on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and admitted that he is now aware of the “central issue” at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe became Manchester United co-owner in 2023 after the 71-year-old British billionaire acquired a minority stake in the Premier League club.
The lifelong United fan’s minority stake deal for the Red Devils included Ratcliffe’s Ineos team taking control of football operations at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s long-term future at the club had been plunged into doubt in recent months after Ratcliffe arrived at Old Trafford as United co-owner.
The United boss oversaw a turbulent second season in charge at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils languishing in eighth place in the Premier League table.
However, Ten Hag signed off the 2023-24 season on a high note after United beat Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Ineos launched an end-of-season review after the FA Cup triumph in May and Ten Hag awaited to learn the decision over his future at United.
Ratcliffe and Co opted to retain the services of Ten Hag, despite the Dutchman admitting that United had spoken with former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
Ten Hag, who arrived from Ajax in 2022, is out of contract with United in 2025 and it is believed that Ratcliffe’s Ineos team are set to offer him a new deal.
Ratcliffe on Ten Hag and Man Utd problems
Speaking to Bloomberg, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has broken his silence on Erik ten Hag and insisted that the Manchester United manager is not the “central issue” at the club.
“The coach isn’t the central issue at Manchester United,” he said.
According to Bloomberg, Ratcliffe spotlighted that the core issue at United is the “environment” for the sporting side of the Premier League club.
“It’s a sports club,” he added.
“It needs to be competitive, it needs a degree of intensity, but with a supportive side to it because you are dealing with players who are relatively young.
“It hasn’t had that type of environment historically.”
Ratcliffe talks Man Utd and brand
Ratcliffe and his Ineos team have been making behind-the-scenes changes at Old Trafford since their arrival at the Premier League club.
United have confirmed changes to the hierarchy behind the scenes, including Omar Berrada being appointed chief executive at the Red Devils.
Jason Wilcox has also become a technical director at Old Trafford, while former Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth remains a key target for Ineos.
Meanwhile, Ineos Sport chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc, who is another important figure for Ratcliffe, currently sits on the board of directors at United.
Ratcliffe has also initiated other changes at Old Trafford, including his reported bid to end the ‘work-from-home culture’ among United staff at the club.
The United co-owner is keen to restore the Red Devils’ place in English – and world – football and also outlined his ambitions to revamp the iconic Old Trafford stadium.
Speaking on United, Ratcliffe said: “Everybody in the world knows of Manchester because of Manchester United.
“Manchester United is like Coca-Cola, isn’t it? Everybody knows it. I’m not sure I know why, But it’s a fact.”