Jim Ratcliffe Threatens to Quit Manchester United Over Fan Abuse

Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has warned that he will quit the club if the abuse he receives from fans reaches the same level as that endured by the Glazer family, citing concerns for his family and personal well-being.

Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has issued a stern warning, stating that he will relinquish his stake in the club if the abuse he receives from fans escalates to the same level as that endured by the Glazer family. Ratcliffe acquired a minority stake in United a year ago, but his tenure has been marred by the team's poor performance on the field, as well as his decisions to increase ticket prices and implement significant staffing cuts.

Although Ratcliffe has faced criticism from fans, the level of backlash has not yet reached the same intensity as that directed towards the Glazer family, who have owned the club since 2005. Protests against the American owners are a regular occurrence at Old Trafford, and Ratcliffe revealed that he has had limited interactions with the Glazers since purchasing a 29% stake in United for a reported £1.3 billion.

Ratcliffe's comments suggest that he is willing to walk away from the club if the abuse becomes too much to bear. This stance raises questions about his long-term commitment to Manchester United and whether he is prepared to endure the scrutiny that comes with owning a high-profile football club.

Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has expressed his willingness to tolerate criticism from fans, but warned that he will reconsider his involvement with the club if the abuse escalates to the same level as that endured by the Glazer family. “I can put up with it for a while,” Ratcliffe told the Sunday Times. “I don't mind being unpopular because I get that nobody likes seeing Manchester United down where they are, and nobody likes the decisions we're having to make at the moment.”

Ratcliffe acknowledged that being unpopular comes with the territory, but emphasized that he is not immune to the negative impact of abuse. “If I draw a bit of the ire, I can put up with that,” he said. “But I'm no different to the average person. It's not nice, particularly for friends and family.” Ratcliffe's comments suggest that he is willing to absorb some criticism, but has his limits.

However, Ratcliffe made it clear that he will not tolerate abuse on the same level as the Glazer family. “So, eventually, if it reached the extent that the Glazer family have been abused, then I'd have to say, look, enough's enough guys, let somebody else do this,” he warned. This statement raises questions about Ratcliffe's long-term commitment to Manchester United and whether he is prepared to endure the scrutiny that comes with owning a high-profile football club.

The hopes that Ratcliffe's arrival would herald a new era of success for Manchester United have yet to materialize. The decision to hand former manager Erik ten Hag a new contract before sacking him in October, as well as the swift departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth, have proven to be costly mistakes. Since replacing Ten Hag, Ruben Amorim has struggled to make any tangible improvements, leaving United languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table.

Jim Ratcliffe's comments earlier this week sparked frustration among Manchester United players, as he suggested that some of them are “overpaid” and “not good enough.” This remark has added to the tension surrounding the club, which has been struggling to find success on the field.

The club recently unveiled ambitious plans for a new 100,000-capacity stadium, estimated to cost £2 billion. The project aims to be completed within five years, but Ratcliffe's comments have raised questions about his long-term commitment to the club. He stated that he would not tolerate prolonged abuse, saying, “They can't really come to a match, the Glazers. They've retreated into the shadows a bit now, so I'm getting all the stick.”

🚨🗣️ - Sir Jim Ratcliffe: “If I fail, I’ll step down. But I don’t think I’ll fail. As soon as we start playing good football and start winning, it WILL change.”

[@TimesSport] pic.twitter.com/eXlUQyk6BB

— Frank🧠🇵🇹 (fan) (@AmorimEra_) March 15, 2025

Ratcliffe expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, feeling that he is shouldering the blame alone. “We bought in and I haven't seen them since. It's, 'thank you, Jim, you're doing a really good job',” he said, highlighting the lack of support from the Glazer family. Ratcliffe emphasized that he values his freedom and would not want to live in a state of constant security. “At the moment, I don't have security, I don't have to walk around like that. But it would defeat the object, wouldn't it? You couldn't tolerate it at that level, it just wouldn't be fun.”