Following on from his recent political comments, it has been suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has become a 'commercial risk' for Manchester United.
INEOS' record this season makes for grim reading, with all four clubs under their ownership or influence struggling to deliver the results expected of them. The group have found themselves at the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons in recent months.
Manchester United's first team currently sit 12th in the Premier League, having managed just one win from their opening five games. Meanwhile, Manchester United Women are 9th in the Women's Super League after one win in four games.
Nice are also on just one win in five Ligue 1 games, while Swiss side Lausanne-Sport sit bottom of the Swiss Super League after nine fixtures.
When Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his £1.27 billion deal for a 28.9% stake in Manchester United at the beginning of 2024, there was a renewed sense of optimism among supporters. However, that optimism has steadily faded as many of the same issues that have plagued the club have continued to surface.
Ratcliffe described as "commercial risk"
United fans would have a long list if they were asked about why they are skeptical over Ratcliffe and his regime. He has regularly disrespected the club's Women's team and also led mass turnover within the club's workforce.
But the British billionaire has also caused controversy with political comments made in the media since taking charge at Old Trafford. Most recently, he criticised the immigration levels in the United Kingdom.
Ratcliffe was also included in a video clip on Reform UK's social media channels, however reports have claimed that the 73-year-old did not give the political party permission to post him as part of their campaign.
All of this has led to further criticism of Ratcliffe and it has been suggested by a financial expert that Ratcliffe's political comments can be viewed as a 'commercial risk' for United.
Speaking to CanadaSportsBetting, football finance expert Professor Rob Wilson said: "The great attraction of Manchester United to a multinational sponsor is the scale that they have.
“You’re buying access as a sponsor to an enormous, diverse and international fan base. Global brands want to associate with partners who are uncomplicated. They want success, heritage, history, community, excitement, that global reach, but also a lack of controversy.
“That’s what has made Manchester United such a valuable brand for the last 25 years or so, and brands can and do tolerate owners holding contentious political views as we’ve seen before with many other clubs. What they do not like is avoidable controversy becoming attached to a property that they are paying to be associated with.
“Brands really don’t need or want the owner of a football club they are sponsoring introducing their potentially contentious political positions into that relationship or the news cycle, and you can argue that that’s what Sir Jim has been doing as part owner of Manchester United.”
Ratcliffe is not helping himself
United are the biggest club in the country and can often steal the national headlines by doing very little, so it isn't helpful that Ratcliffe doesn't seem too fussed about public perception and how he talks to the media.
But the more worrying part about Ratcliffe is how he is managing United, with there still being major concerns over how the club is being ran under his leadership.
Michael Carrick's side is currently struggling after an underwhelming summer transfer window. The previous head coach, Ruben Amorim, had to juggle the demoralised workforce alongside coaching football players.
United fans do not have much patience for Ratcliffe, especially after the club started banning season-ticket holders in the summer, and he is certainly not helping himself either.
