Kieran Maguire: Man United fans will love new behind-the-scenes ban introduced by Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s decision to stop all dividends being taken out of Man United will help him win the approval of supporters.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Ratcliffe’s decision to stop Glazer payouts.
Since taking over the club in 2005, the Glazer family have regularly taken dividends out of the Red Devils even when the club was not making profit.
Ratcliffe’s minority investment in the club was confirmed on Christmas Eve, and the British billionaire has announced that no dividends will now be taken out of the club in the next three years.
Instead, Ratcliffe and his INEOS team want to direct funds towards squad and infrastructure investment.
Maguire believes Ratcliffe’s decision is ‘sensible’ and will also help him connect with the club’s fanbase.
“I think putting a pause to dividends was the logical thing to do for Jim Ratcliffe,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“It also will increase his approval ratings with the fans.
“The dividends which the Glazer family have sanctioned since 2016 during a period when the club hasn’t been generating profits or winning trophies has irritated the fan base.
“They realise that Manchester United to the Glazers is nothing more than a cash cow and it’s not held in the same affection that Manchester United fans hold the club so it makes sense.
“Ratcliffe is putting fresh cash into a business and therefore to have that cash leak out to other people in the form of dividends would lack common sense.
“So it’s the sensible thing to do from Ratcliffe’s point of view and also the best thing for Manchester United as a club.
“And it’s great to see, because if you read Manchester United’s constitution, it does state that the Glazer family can make decisions which are in their best interest rather than that of the club.“
In other news, Kieran Maguire suggests Glazer stance on quitting Man United after Ratcliffe takeover