Manchester United have once again found themselves reflecting on a painful chapter in their recent history, after a striking admission reportedly attributed to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
In comments that have sparked intense debate among supporters, Ratcliffe is said to have expressed deep frustration over the club’s decision to let one former player leave for virtually nothing — only for his market value to skyrocket to a level now exceeding that of both Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo.
According to the remarks, Ratcliffe described the sale as one of the most regrettable mistakes the club has made in modern times, admitting that United “sold him for £0” and are still feeling the consequences today.
The player in question was moved on during Erik ten Hag’s tenure, at a time when the club was undergoing constant reshaping, with short-term decisions often prioritised over long-term planning.
These comments have inevitably reignited conversations about the future of Bruno Fernandes himself. The Portuguese midfielder has been a central figure at Old Trafford for years and is widely regarded as one of the club’s most influential players of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
However, with Fernandes now 31 and his contract running until 2027, speculation has grown that his time at United may be approaching a natural conclusion under the INEOS-led rebuild.
Despite his individual brilliance, Fernandes’ spell at the club has produced relatively modest silverware — an FA Cup and a Carabao Cup — a return that may not fully reflect his consistent output in goals, assists, and leadership.
As INEOS continues its ruthless restructuring of the squad, even players once viewed as untouchable are no longer guaranteed security.
Ratcliffe’s ownership group has made it clear since taking operational control in early 2024 that they intend to correct what they see as years of mismanagement.
In interviews, Ratcliffe has openly criticised the legacy of expensive, underperforming signings inherited from previous regimes.
Several of those players have since departed, including Antony, who returned permanently to Real Betis, and Rasmus Højlund, who joined Napoli on a loan deal with a conditional obligation to buy.
Perhaps the most controversial call came when INEOS backed Ruben Amorim’s stance on Alejandro Garnacho. Despite scoring in the 2024 FA Cup final, the young winger was instructed to seek a move and ultimately joined Chelsea, a decision that divided the fanbase.
That ruthless approach continued with Andre Onana, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho all leaving on loan, underlining the scale of the overhaul.
The summer of 2024 had already set the tone, with Scott McTominay leading a wave of departures. Mason Greenwood and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also exited, while Donny van de Beek was sold for a nominal fee.
Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial left as free agents, further highlighting the club’s willingness to wipe the slate clean.
United also cashed in on several academy graduates, including Hannibal Mejbri, Facundo Pellistri, and Willy Kambwala.
While none of the trio have truly flourished since leaving, INEOS appear justified in those decisions. However, the same cannot be said for every exit.
One former player, now thriving elsewhere, stands as a glaring reminder of what United lost. Once written off and sold cheaply, he has gone on to rebuild his reputation and skyrocket in value — to the point where he is now reportedly worth more than Fernandes and McTominay combined.
For Ratcliffe and the United hierarchy, that misjudgment remains a painful lesson, one that continues to haunt the club as they attempt to restore Manchester United to the top of English and European football.
