Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Alex Ferguson sat next to each other during United's match with Spurs. Photo: Getty Images/Matthew Peters < p>The match between Manchester United's two knights, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Alex Ferguson, was a spectacle that galvanized fans tired of the perpetual chaos at their club. Here, after a decade of turmoil, their greatest manager shared his wisdom with one of Britain's richest men, who was soon officially confirmed as their co-owner. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot emerged over the next chaotic 90 minutes as the hosts twice highlighted their talent for self-sabotage to hand Tottenham a point. Sir Jim is undoubtedly being sincere when he describes his 25 per cent stake as the “most exciting” project he has ever taken on. At 71, he has not invested money in a quiet life.
Even for a man who has amassed a £30 billion fortune, watching this version of United is certainly a grueling and stressful experience. While it was a good bet that Ferguson's side would turn a third-minute lead into a routine home win, the class of 2024 were bewildered by their neuroses and so terrified of their own shadows that Tottenham at times overtook them off the pitch. You lost count of how many times United, desperate to play from the back, saw their attack fall apart in front of the halfway line. And yet, amid the groans, there was still a palpable optimism, a sense that Ratcliffe's arrival heralded decisive leadership at last.
Ratcliffe has a lot to deal with, from Old Trafford's leaky roof to whether Erik ten Hag is more than a caretaker manager. But the bar had dropped so low that there was a feeling of gratitude that their latest benefactor had deigned to appear. Unlike the absentee Glazers, who in Florida are so aloof they can seem disdainful, Ratcliffe rolled into the stadium entrance and instantly radiated an aura. “I've done some interesting things in my life, but this tops everything,” he said, grinning, on stage at a pre-match press conference. “There's no doubt about it.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe: “I've done some interesting things in my life, but this surpasses all this' Photo: Getty Images/Ash Donelon
Will he have the patience to endure a game as error-ridden or such glaring misses as Scott McTominay's failed stoppage-time header? We'll find out soon. One encouraging sign is Ratcliffe's willingness to learn from Ferguson. Cameras often caught the couple in deep conversation. After all, there is a symmetry in their leadership styles, each characterized by clear thinking and a refusal to suffer fools gladly. Looking into the directors' box, you felt almost nostalgic for a bygone era at United. Wayne Rooney was also there, who could have taught McTominay a few lessons in the art of the lethal finish.
Marcus Rashford really helped out this time, regaining his old composure to score a beautiful goal, United's second. However, he had the courage to play out the celebration with his hand, which seemed to suggest that his critics were talking too much. Let's not forget that this was the striker's first goal at home since May last year. As Roy Keane noted: “He has no right to be upset. He was not involved in this business.”
Outlining his philosophy at Ineos, Ratcliffe once said: “We don't like arrogance.” It's a message he would do well to reinforce at United. In business, he also developed a reputation as a straight talker. He is said to have impressed United staff with his frankness and directness during his first visit to the training ground. Then it boggles the mind what he will say about the club's penchant for absurd corporate jargon. In their “ultimate match day checklist” for the game, they urged fans to remember their “game-specific NFTs (non-fungible tokens).” Sir Jim, now in his eighties, is fortunately not one to obsess over NFTs, the digital craze that was all the rage in football a year ago but is now on the verge of becoming obsolete. The sooner he can convince United to communicate in plain English, the better.
A more immediate priority in his role in charge of “football operations” is helping to build a team with some semblance of a plan. Before this match, Ten Hag spoke almost optimistically, suggesting that he and Ratcliffe had natural telepathy. But the spectacle provided a sobering reality check: United were so lacking in an authoritative presence that the introduction from the bench of Lisandro Martinez, out for the better part of nine months with a leg injury, was greeted with the loudest applause of the day.
Although Ratcliffe is a United romantic at heart, he can be a ruthless pragmatist when necessary. And despite all the entertainment that the presenters provided, the need for serious surgery is obvious. Yes, they can spark moments of inspiration, but they can just as easily fall into unforgivable carelessness. The sight of Ten Hag with his head in his hands at the end as McTominay missed a golden chance from six yards was emblematic of United's torment. Ratcliffe brought a precious sense of renewal, but there will definitely be a reckoning for this decrepit side.
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