INEOS continues to blame the Glazer family for Manchester United's struggles, according to a former Premier League executive who believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe does not listen to many people. The unnamed source told ESPN that owners typically take about five years to learn from their mistakes and accept responsibility.
Owners 'blame what they inherited'
United's board delegated control of football operations to INEOS as part of the agreement that made Ratcliffe's company a minority shareholder. The deal was announced on Christmas Eve 2023 and completed in February 2024. Based on that date, the former executive suggested lessons will not begin to be learned until 2029.
"I don't think Jim listens to many people. In my experience, it takes about five years for owners to learn their lessons and take some responsibility. That's when humility starts to land. Up until year three or four, they are still putting the blame on what they inherited," the source told ESPN.
Criticism from the directors' box
ESPN previously quoted a source who watched United lose 3-0 to Bournemouth from the directors' box. That source said: "The fans were all singing about the Glazers, but I'm not sure they realise how bad Jim is. He couldn't have masterminded a worse situation. He's downgraded in all departments. It's basically the opposite of what he said his strategy is."
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly a potential upgrade on Michael Carrick. According to talkSPORT, Pochettino and Eddie Howe would both be interested in the role, with the former Newcastle United head coach described as a leading contender should the club decide to sack Carrick.
Pochettino's interest in United
Pochettino told FourFourTwo earlier this year that "United have always shown interest," but conceded: "The ideal scenario to manage there has never quite materialised."
Speaking about the period when United appointed Erik ten Hag, he recalled: "I was under contract at PSG. After our Champions League elimination by Real Madrid, we had no option but to make sure we secured at least the Ligue 1 title. United were in a hurry to announce their new manager before the end of that season because the situation had become unsustainable. I couldn't negotiate, whereas Ajax gave Ten Hag the flexibility to do so."
