In a dramatic intervention that has sent shockwaves through English football, prominent Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage has issued a stark warning to billionaire Jim Ratcliffe about the looming threat of 'woke ideology' at Manchester United.
The Reform UK honorary president didn't mince words when discussing the INEOS chief's potential ownership of the historic club, declaring that the 'woke virus' represents a greater danger to the Red Devils than even their fiercest on-pitch rivals.
The Battle for Old Trafford
Ratcliffe, Britain's wealthiest individual with an estimated £29.7 billion fortune, finds himself locked in a high-stakes takeover battle with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani for control of the Premier League giants.
Farage, speaking with his characteristic bluntness, acknowledged Ratcliffe as a 'great British businessman' but expressed serious concerns about his ability to navigate the treacherous waters of modern football politics.
A Warning From the Political Arena
'My worry for Jim Ratcliffe is that he's a chemist, he's a brilliant businessman, but he's going into a world of football that is dominated by the woke,' Farage told his GB News audience.
The former UKIP leader didn't stop there, delivering his most explosive line: 'The woke virus is a bigger threat to Manchester United than Manchester City.'
This provocative statement comes as United prepare for their first Manchester derby of the season against Pep Guardiola's dominant City side, adding extra spice to an already heated rivalry.
The Woke Debate in Football
Farage's comments tap into an ongoing culture war within English football, where traditional values often clash with modern social initiatives.
The broadcaster specifically criticised what he perceives as excessive political correctness in the sport, citing rainbow armbands and taking the knee as examples of 'woke nonsense' infiltrating the beautiful game.
'I'm not sure Jim Ratcliffe is equipped to deal with it,' Farage mused, casting doubt on whether the chemicals magnate possesses the political savvy to counter these trends at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe's Rocky Road
The INEOS owner's journey toward potential United ownership has been anything but smooth. After initially expressing interest in purchasing Chelsea, Ratcliffe pivoted to his boyhood club United when the Glazer family put them up for sale.
However, the process has been marred by delays and uncertainty, with current owners the Glazers reportedly considering taking the club off the market entirely - a move that would infuriate the vast majority of United supporters who have been campaigning against their ownership for years.
As the takeover saga continues to unfold, Farage's intervention adds another layer of complexity to what was already one of the most contentious ownership battles in football history.
