Manchester United icon Roy Keane has never been one to mince his words, and his latest assessment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's involvement at Old Trafford proves the fiery Irishman hasn't lost his edge.
The former United captain delivered his characteristically blunt verdict on Ratcliffe's recent £1.3 billion partial takeover, questioning whether the INEOS billionaire truly understands the mammoth task ahead at the struggling Premier League giants.
'Same Problems, Different People'
Keane expressed scepticism about whether Ratcliffe's arrival would bring about the fundamental changes needed at the club. "It's the same problems, just with different people coming in," he stated during a recent appearance on the Stick to Football podcast.
The 52-year-old pundit highlighted concerns about Ratcliffe's understanding of football operations, despite his successful business background. "He's a smart, successful businessman, but does he get football? Does he understand what it takes to build a winning team? That's the real question."
Training Ground Concerns Highlighted
Keane didn't hold back when discussing United's Carrington training facility, which has come under scrutiny since Ratcliffe's investment. Reports suggest the new co-owner was unimpressed with the facilities compared to other top clubs.
"The training ground needs serious work," Keane asserted. "When I was there, it was world-class. Now? It's fallen behind. That tells you everything about the decline."
No Quick Fix for United's Woes
The former midfield enforcer warned supporters against expecting immediate solutions to problems that have been brewing for years. "People think changing owners will magically fix everything. It doesn't work like that," Keane explained.
He emphasised that the club's issues run deeper than just ownership, pointing to recruitment failures and a loss of the famous United identity that defined his playing days under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ratcliffe's Track Record Under Scrutiny
While acknowledging Ratcliffe's success with INEOS' sporting ventures, including French club Nice and the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team, Keane questioned whether that experience translates to the unique pressures of Manchester United.
"Running Nice is one thing. Managing Manchester United, with all its history and expectations? That's a completely different ball game," he noted.
Keane's comments come as Ratcliffe's 27.7% stake in the club awaits Premier League approval, with the British billionaire already making significant changes to the football operations structure.
