Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly stated his commitment to a long-term strategy for the club, particularly regarding the future of manager Ruben Amorim. Despite a challenging tenure since his appointment in November, which has seen Amorim secure only 19 wins out of 50 games and a 15th-place Premier League finish in Ratcliffe's first full season – the club's worst campaign since 1974 – Ratcliffe is prepared to offer the Portuguese coach a significant grace period. Amorim’s contract extends until June 2027, and Ratcliffe suggested he views Amorim’s initial period as merely a third of a proposed three-year project to demonstrate his coaching prowess, drawing parallels to Arsenal’s patience with Mikel Arteta during his difficult early years.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos group, now overseeing football operations, has emphasized that majority owners, the Glazer family, will not intervene in managerial decisions. “We’re local, and they (the Glazers) are the other side of the pond. That’s a long way away to try and manage a football club as big and complex as Manchester United,” Ratcliffe explained, reinforcing the autonomy of the Ineos group in football matters. This stance comes amidst growing pressure from some supporters for Amorim’s removal, especially after a disappointing run of three defeats in seven Premier League games and a League Cup elimination by League Two side Grimsby Town via a penalty shootout. However, a recent 2-0 victory over Sunderland offered a temporary lift in mood at Old Trafford.

The 73-year-old billionaire also expressed strong frustration with media coverage, which he believes demands immediate success. “The press, sometimes I don't understand,” Ratcliffe lamented. “They want overnight success. They think it's a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow. You can't run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.” This reflects a broader philosophy of gradual, sustainable development rather than reactive decision-making.

Beyond the pitch, Ratcliffe has initiated significant restructuring measures, aiming to transform United into “the most profitable club in the world.” He addressed the club’s previous financial inefficiencies, stating, “The costs were just too high. There are some fantastic people at Manchester United, but there was also a level of mediocrity and it had become bloated.” His actions, including two rounds of redundancies, hiked ticket prices, and the relocation of long-time season-ticket holders for executive seating, have drawn criticism and made him unpopular with some supporters and staff. He was even confronted by fans in January outside Fulham’s ground.

However, Ratcliffe defended these measures as crucial for the club’s long-term health, likening the process to assembling a Formula One car where better financial resources lead to a better squad and ultimately, better performance. He noted that despite the club not being in the Champions League, Manchester United recorded its highest-ever revenues and second-highest profitability last year, though the full benefits of restructuring are yet to be seen. He also defended the Glazer family, describing them as “really nice people and they are really passionate about the club,” despite their unpopularity among many fans.