Alan Shearer has criticized Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 'chaotic' ownership of Manchester United after a turbulent start to the season.
British billionaire and youthful United fan Ratcliffe, 72, completed his purchase of 25 percent of the club in February, after which the Glazer family handed him control of its football operations.
However, it has been a difficult first year in charge for Ratcliffe and his Ineos group as United have endured a difficult time both on and off the pitch.
In the summer, the Red Devils handed Erik ten Hag a new contract despite much speculation about his future – and gave him more than £200m to spend in the transfer market – before then sacking him in October and paying £15m in compensation. .
Ratcliffe also poached Dan Ashworth from Newcastle as sporting director before making the decision to relinquish his services last week after just a few months in the role.
The 72-year-old has also made a series of unpopular decisions, including a mid-season move to increase match ticket prices to £66 per match – without making concessions to children or pensioners – while more than 250 club staff have been made redundant. redundant.
Despite all the changes, the Red Devils are languishing in 13th place in the Premier League and narrowly defeated Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday.
And ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby against arch-rivals City, Betfair ambassador Shearer stressed that Ratcliffe has yet to have a positive impact on the club.
“That's (chaotic) the right word,” he told Mail Sport exclusively, on behalf of Betfair.
'It seems like it's gone from a really bad situation to everyone thinking, “Ratcliffe is there now” (everything will be fine).
'But since he came in, whether it was raising ticket prices, giving Erik ten Hag a new contract or giving him millions to spend on players and then firing him and giving him compensation .
'Whether it's paying Dan Ashworth £3m after waiting for him on garden leave (and then firing him), it seems like it's gone from one bad phase to another.'
Ruben Amorim was then appointed as Ten Hag's replacement in November after United paid Sporting Lisbon £10.6 million to employ the highly rated coach and his staff.
However, the Portuguese is still adjusting to life at Old Trafford after losing two of his four Premier League games in charge.
And Shearer insisted Amorim's first month at the club would have been an eye-opener for the 39-year-old.
“The most important thing is the results on the pitch and they won't get better anytime soon,” he added.
'Because Ruben Amorim came in and thought, '£600 million has been spent on this team and this is what I have, this is the best he (Ratcliffe) can give me.'
“So yeah, it's definitely going to take some time for him to get it right and I'm sure his eyes have been wide open since he walked in there.”
Don't miss Alan Shearer vs Rachael Blackmore in Betfair's Christmas Quizzing… Only Bettor, streamed live on Friday 20 December.
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