Jim Ratcliffe's nine-word remark that led to new plan to ditch Man Utd project
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Project 150 plans always seemed like an uphill battle, especially given his own stance on Man Utd's FA Cup win last season where he said the Red Devils were underdogs going in
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's reflections after Manchester United's FA Cup triumph last year hinted a lack of faith in his much-talked-about Project 150.
Despite going in as underdogs against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, the Red Devils pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo which overshadowed Jeremy Doku's goal. The win came as a shock to supporters up and down the country and marked the team's sole piece of silverware for the season.
Ratcliffe, who holds a minority stake in United, didn't shy away from acknowledging his team's outsider status but heaped praise on their Wembley performance after the match. " Manchester United were clearly not the favourites to win today," he previously said.
He added: "But they played with total commitment and skill and overcame one of the great teams in football. We are all very proud of the players and the staff who work tirelessly to support them."
However, comments about not being favourites highlighted just how much of an uphill battle Project 150 – which aims to see United win the Premier League by 2028 in line with its 150th anniversary – would be. The club's recent performances, including a record-low eighth-place finish in the 2023/24 season and a dreadful 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League, have highlighted the significant challenges they face in closing the gap with their rivals.
Despite the arrival of head coach Ruben Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November, the team continues to languish near the bottom of the table, on track for their worst-ever Premier League finish. And while Amorim has shown glimpses of promise, such as dragging the team to the Europa League final where they face fellow Premier League strugglers Tottenham, it is clear that he needs time to adapt and shape the squad to his playing style.
A source close to the club reportedly acknowledged the difficulties they face in March, telling Mirror Football: "Amorim felt he could get more from the current squad when he came in and there have been some encouraging results. But there's no getting away from the fact that overall it's been a really tough watch - and that it's going to take a lot of time and patience to get the team to where they should be.
"You've got to be brave or foolish to think winning the league by 2028 is doable from where United currently are."
It has been 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson departed Manchester United, and the club has struggled to replicate his success in the Premier League since then.
The current state of the team suggests that it will be a long and challenging journey to return to the top of English football. Old Trafford has seen a parade of managers, including David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ten Hag and now Amorim, all attempting to reverse the club's fortunes. But instead, they've seemingly slipped further down the league table.
Despite the struggles, the board remains committed to giving Amorim time to shape his squad at the Theatre of Dreams, reports the Manchester Evening News. However, this could take years as he seeks to offload underperforming players and mould a team that fits his style of play, potentially leading to the abandonment of Project 150.
Another hurdle is the Premier League's PSR rules and regulations. In the January transfer window, United were only able to secure the services of Patrick Dorgu for £25million and promising Arsenal youngster Ayden Heaven, while Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia were sent out on loan.
If United can arrange permanent moves for these players, and if Chelsea decide to splash out £20m for Jadon Sancho following his loan stint at Stamford Bridge, it could help ease the club's substantial debts. As of March, the club was reported to be in debt to the tune of £733m, with an additional £315m owed in outstanding transfer fees.
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