Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made a bold statement, claiming that some players within the squad are both overpaid and not up to the required standard for the club.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the BBC to mark his first year as co-owner, Ratcliffe didn’t hold back as he assessed the state of the club. His remarks come at a time when United sits 14th in the Premier League table, with fans voicing frustrations over the team’s performances and club management.

During the conversation, Ratcliffe specifically mentioned several high-profile players that his administration inherited, including Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, and Andre Onana, along with wingers Antony and Jadon Sancho—both currently out on loan. When questioned about whether these players were of the caliber needed at Manchester United, Ratcliffe admitted that not all of them met the required standards. He also revealed that the club’s wage bill stands at a staggering £250 million per year.

“Some are not good enough and some are probably overpaid,” Ratcliffe stated. “However, reshaping the squad into one that we are fully responsible and accountable for will take time.”

Big-Money Signings Under Scrutiny

Among the players highlighted, Jadon Sancho remains a financial burden for United, with the club still owing £17 million for his transfer from Borussia Dortmund, despite him returning to the German side on loan. He initially arrived for £73 million but failed to live up to expectations and fell out with former manager Erik ten Hag before being loaned to Chelsea at the start of the current season. United still covers half of his wages.

Brazilian winger Antony, who arrived from Ajax for £81.5 million, is currently on loan at Real Betis after struggling to make an impact at Old Trafford. Midfielder Casemiro, signed for £70 million in 2022, along with Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund (£72 million) and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana (£47.2 million), have also faced criticism for their performances.

Financial Adjustments and Fan Backlash

Ratcliffe’s tenure has not been without controversy, with his cost-cutting measures sparking outrage among fans. A mid-season ticket price hike saw home match tickets rise to £66, while staff cuts and the removal of free lunches added to the discontent. Ratcliffe justified these actions, saying they were necessary to stabilize the club financially, warning that United was on track to run out of money by the end of the year.

“Some of these decisions are unpopular, but they are essential to put Manchester United back on stable footing,” he said. “If fans want to see us winning trophies again, we have to make these changes. Our priority should be investing in the best players rather than spending money on free lunches.”

Ratcliffe also hinted at “modest price increases” for next season but promised to maintain last year’s pricing for under-16s.

Backing for Head Coach Ruben Amorim

On the pitch, Ratcliffe remains firmly behind head coach Ruben Amorim, who took charge in November following Erik ten Hag’s departure. Despite United losing nine of their 26 matches under Amorim and sitting a staggering 36 points behind league leaders Liverpool, Ratcliffe is convinced of his ability.

“If I look at the squad available to Ruben, I think he’s doing a really good job,” Ratcliffe stated. “He is an outstanding young manager, and I believe he will be here for a long time.”

He attributed the club’s struggles to an extensive injury list, which has left Amorim managing with a depleted squad. “How many players on the bench against Arsenal did fans even recognize? We are down to the last 10 or 11 first-team players,” Ratcliffe noted. “Despite the challenges, Ruben is doing a fantastic job, and we are starting to see glimpses of what he can bring to the team.”

As Manchester United looks to rebuild under new leadership, it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe’s bold approach will yield success or further divide an already frustrated fanbase.

Joshua Zirkzee’s early goal had put Manchester United in a strong position against Real Sociedad, but Ruben Amorim’s side failed to hold on for a crucial victory in San Sebastian.

The Dutch striker gave United an early advantage in their Europa League round of 16 clash, only for Mikel Oyarzabal to level the score from the penalty spot. The equalizer came after a VAR review penalized Bruno Fernandes for handball, shifting momentum in favor of the Spanish side.

Real Sociedad pressed hard for a winner in the closing stages, with substitute Orri Oskarsson coming close twice. His first effort was narrowly off target under pressure from Leny Yoro, while his second attempt forced a crucial stoppage-time save from Andre Onana.

United struggled in the final minutes, with head coach Ruben Amorim citing fatigue as a key factor. However, Zirkzee had his own perspective on the team’s late struggles.

Zirkzee Expresses Frustration

Reflecting on the match, the former Bologna forward pointed to United’s inability to maintain composure after conceding.

“If you look at how the stadium reacted to the penalty and how they pressed after the goal, you could tell they needed it,” Zirkzee said. “I think we should have stayed calm and continued playing our game. We lost control a little after that.”

He continued, “We had more to gain from this match. The penalty was unfortunate—I’m still not sure exactly what happened there. But it just proves that we need to be more ruthless with our chances. We created enough opportunities. A draw away isn’t bad, but now they have to come to Old Trafford.”

Zirkzee also suggested that United could have come away with more from the game. “If you analyze the chances we created, we should have scored another. We were up against a strong team, but we should have done better.”

Amorim Acknowledges Turning Point

For Amorim, the penalty incident played a pivotal role in the outcome. “We played well up until the penalty decision,” he admitted. “That moment shifted the momentum, and we struggled to recover.”

Despite the disappointing result, the head coach singled out Zirkzee for praise. The Dutchman had been under scrutiny after missing a crucial penalty in United’s FA Cup exit against Fulham, but he responded with a strong performance in Spain.

“He deserved this goal because he’s been working really hard,” Amorim said. “He’s improving in different aspects of his game, and tonight he was crucial for us.”

Manchester United will now turn their focus to the second leg at Old Trafford on March 13. Before that, however, they face a major Premier League showdown against Arsenal, which could have a significant impact on their domestic campaign

Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim has strongly hinted that another promising academy talent is nearing his first-team debut.

Rising star Harry Amass has been included in United’s squad for their crucial Europa League clash against Real Sociedad, marking a significant step in his development.

When asked about Amass’s selection in the 18-man squad, Amorim explained (via ManUtd.com):

“Amass is with us today. In the previous match against Fulham, we wanted to include him, but he had just played a full game against Arsenal, so we decided against it.

“We try to balance all the teams and anticipate our substitutions. We understand that bringing in young players is a major step, so we carefully manage their expectations.”

A Golden Opportunity for Amass

At just 17 years old, Amass is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Manchester United’s academy. He has frequently been part of the first-team matchday squads, gaining vital exposure to elite-level football.

Former manager Erik ten Hag previously included him in United’s pre-season tour of the United States. However, despite Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia being sidelined with injuries, Amass was not given a first-team opportunity at the time, with Ten Hag expressing concerns about whether he was physically ready for senior football.

Amorim’s Trust in Amass

Amorim disclosed that he had initially planned to feature Amass in United’s recent match against Fulham. However, with Patrick Dorgu serving a suspension, the manager opted to use Diogo Dalot as a left wing-back instead.

His inclusion in the squad against Real Sociedad indicates Amorim’s growing confidence in the young left-back. While Amass was linked with a loan move in January, United ultimately decided to keep him, unable to find a club with a strong enough development plan for his growth.

With Amorim already handing Chido Obi his debut, Amass could be the next academy talent to make his first senior appearance before the season concludes. Given his immense potential, a breakthrough moment might not be far away.