Donald Trump cited as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man United masterplan hit by ‘serious’ blow
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is facing more debt issues away from Man United which could impact his work at Old Trafford.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Ratcliffe may have to focus more on INEOS in the short-term rather than Man United.
It has emerged that INEOS is facing financial difficulties, with the global chemical company that Ratcliffe owns in £18billion of debt.
Man United’s first quarter financial results showed the club are also facing huge debt problems, despite making a £13million profit.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe blames trio of problems for INEOS debt issues
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – says Ratcliffe’s problems with INEOS are “almost reminiscent” of those at Man United.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the issue will affect Ratcliffe and his investment in sport.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, look, this story did surprise me, to be honest, when it really broke over the weekend. And he’s blaming a trifecta of high energy costs, [Donald] Trump’s tariffs, and Chinese dumping of chemicals as well.
“So he’s saying those three things have really affected INEOS. And I can see quite clearly how that has happened. But certainly the debt pile he’s got is almost reminiscent of the Glazers’ pile that they put on Man United. So maybe he’s the victim of another time here, of another debt pile.
“But look, it’s serious times for INEOS and there’s no doubt, obviously this has got to affect Ratcliffe’s decisions on his peripheral investments in sport. We’ve seen, you know, we’ve talked about many times that it’s been littered with some bad decisions on sport, and it’s not proven as easy for him or as successful as he’d like to have had.
“And far from the reflected glory of sports which many of these guys are seeking, it has turned out to be a reflection that has tainted him more than anything else. So yes, he’s got some serious issues. I think as much as anything else in terms of resources, which I think he probably still would have been able to give some sort of guarantees, it’s going to be the time that’s going to be taken away from United.”
Man United miss out on target amid financial problems
Man United’s financial problems could impact Ruben Amorim in the January transfer market, with the 40-year-old potentially having to look at cheaper alternatives on top targets.
It was revealed that Man United may not have been able to afford Antoine Semenyo, who now looks likely to join rivals Man City.
In their search for a new midfielder, Man United could sign Ruben Neves for £15m, with top targets like Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba expected to cost close to £100m.