‘Humourless’ Jim Ratcliffe could ‘come in for some stick’ after explosive Man United deal agreed
Man United’s ownership could face some flak after agreeing to a TV series to try and generate much-needed revenue for the club.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes Man United are taking a “risk” with their TV series.
Man United’s new TV series is to tell the history of the club, and will not impact the current first team squad.
The TV series could mean Man United land a £20million financial boost, but they have been warned of the negative press they could also receive.
Man United series ‘may not be taken up’
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 – believes the series must be “very real” to be deemed a success.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers may “come in for some stick.”
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “If it is not a good success editorially and proven to be, you know, reasonably factually incorrect, then that will mean, commercially, it may not be taken up and the viewers may not respond.
“So there’s a risk here for United in terms of how they do this. As I say, the intrusion risk isn’t there compared to the other types of series, but the way that this has got to actually be portrayed is very real.
“And as I say, people like the Glazers who have got no sense of humour and Jim Ratcliffe, I don’t think he’s actually the one with the greatest sense of humour either.
“You know, if this series is going to be accurate, then I’m afraid they’re going to come in for some stick. So that’s something to watch for anyway as we go forward.”
Jadon Sancho update emerges
Jadon Sancho could be a free agent in the summer with his Man United contract expiring at the end of the season, and with Aston Villa unlikely to make a permanent move for the 25-year-old.
Sancho is eyeing a return to the Bundesliga in the summer, where he has previously enjoyed successful spells at Borussia Dortmund.
The forward has not made an impact at Villa Park during his loan spell, having made just four Premier League starts, and having not scored a goal or registered an assist in the league.