MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has revealed the real reason he didn’t sack Erik ten Hag even though the club is enduring its worst season in the Premier League era.
Ratcliffe, 71, also explained why he felt the club had lost its way before his arrival and he was working to rebuild the English giant.
United finished the 2023-24 Premier League campaign in eighth place, the fastest achievement since the 1989-90 season.
A negative goal difference for the first time in 34 years and 14 league defeats – the worst since the 1989-90 season – further soured United’s image under Ten Hag.
But victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final ensured United will continue to play on the European stage this season.
When fans and observers called for the Dutch manager to be sacked, Ratcliffe decided to continue giving Ten Hag a chance rather than looking for a new manager for the sixth time after Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
“Erik is a good guy and did his best, but it was too much work.
“He’s trying to reshape the squad but at the same time trying to ‘repair the roof’,” Ratcliffe said.