Alan Shearer has accused Manchester United's hierarchy, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, of making an 'absolute mess' of key decisions since the billionaire became a minority shareholder. The Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer highlighted seven specific errors, arguing that the club's management must shoulder significant blame for the turmoil.
Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Shearer listed mistakes such as giving Erik ten Hag a new contract, sacking him, paying compensation to Newcastle for Dan Ashworth only for him to leave after a short period, and then sacking Ashworth. He also criticised the hiring and subsequent dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim, who was sacked after less than 14 months following an explosive press conference.
'They made an absolute mess of it,' Shearer said. 'If you look at every corner that they've tried to turn and every decision that they've made, it's been an absolute joke. The owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Wilcox, Berrada – they have to accept their blame as well.' Shearer noted that Amorim's criticism of his superiors after the draw with Leeds left him with no way back, but insisted the hierarchy's errors were equally responsible.
Micah Richards, co-host on the podcast, agreed that decisions have been confusing but questioned the timing of Amorim's sacking. 'It seems like nobody knows what they're doing, which is frightening at the level we're talking about with a club the size of Manchester United,' Richards said. He added that with players returning from injury and a transfer window open, sacking Amorim forced the club to start again without a clear plan.
