Ratcliffe’s INEOS company has acquired a substantial stake in Manchester United, purchasing a quarter of the company’s shares at $33 per share, with this minority takeover announced on Christmas Eve.
Manchester United fans have expressed considerable joy over this development, largely due to the fact that it reduces the influence of the much-criticized Glazer family at Old Trafford.
However, recent quotes from a L’Equipe interview with Nice defender Dante may temper expectations regarding Ratcliffe’s ownership. Dante, the current captain of Nice, has played for the club since Ratcliffe purchased it in 2019.
In his interview, Dante criticized INEOS’ management of the Nice “project,” pointing to the significant turnover of players as a factor that has hindered the club’s progress in recent years. “I think at some point you have to be clear in what you’re saying,” he began. “To maintain a project, maybe you need to speak less about objectives and work in silence to create an environment of competitors. Because the expectation is even bigger, and then after, people are frustrated.”
Dante highlighted the disruptive impact of frequent player transfers. “Do you remember how many players came in at the end of the transfer window last summer? Six left, six arrived. It’s difficult in these conditions.
Simply, we mustn’t make the same errors,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of early organization and consistent planning to avoid these issues. “If someone wants my opinion, the earlier we organize ourselves, the better it will be. If we want to aim higher, we have to anticipate things and put the values of the organization in place.”
Dante also discussed the unrealistic expectations set by the club’s management. “When the coach [Lucien Favre] arrived, we said in two years that we would always be in the Champions League. It doesn’t work like that. Ligue 1 is very difficult. We lost ten players, ten arrived.
The teams in the semi-finals of big competitions play together for three, four years. We changed everything last summer,” he explained. He expressed regret over the lack of coherence and stability within the team. “There is a lack of coherence somewhere. I am sorry to say that.”
Dante’s comments serve as a cautionary tale for Manchester United fans and stakeholders who might be expecting a quick turnaround under Ratcliffe’s partial ownership.
The experiences at Nice suggest that a more measured, organized approach will be necessary to achieve sustained success. The challenges faced by Nice under INEOS’ management highlight the importance of stability and strategic planning, rather than frequent changes and lofty, immediate expectations.
As Ratcliffe and INEOS take on a significant role at Manchester United, it will be crucial for them to learn from past experiences and avoid the pitfalls that have plagued their management of Nice.
This means fostering a stable team environment, setting realistic goals, and ensuring that player transfers and other strategic decisions are made with long-term success in mind.
Only by addressing these issues can they hope to meet the high expectations of Manchester United fans and build a competitive, successful team.
