Sir Jim Ratcliffe not looking to spend a fortune to buy Manchester United success
Additional information from PA Media
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stated no marquee signings will be made at Old Trafford this summer
- “I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success”
- Ratcliffe outlined the “long road” to make Manchester United the success they once were
Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t be looking to make any marquee signings for Manchester United this summer amidst rumours of a potential move for Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe, who’s contact is set to expire at Paris St. Germain, has been linked with a move to the Red Devils in the summer.
However, the Ineos chairman who has took charge of footballing operations at Old Trafford believes big marquee signings are not the way to prosper.
Ratcliffe’s thoughts on signing Bellingham
When asked, on Geraint Thomas’ cycling club podcast, whether the club are ready to make a move for England star Jude Bellingham.
Ratcliffe said: “He is a great footballer. It’s not where our focus is, the solution isn’t spending a lot of money on a couple of great players.
“They have done that, if you look at the last 10 years, they have spent a lot of money on a couple of great players.
“The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes who are managing and organising the club.
“And make sure we get recruitment right, it is such a vital part of football today.”
How Manchester United will build for the future
When asked later in the podcast about signing Kylian Mbappe for Manchester United, Ratcliffe said: “I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success.”
“It’s not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone could figure that one out. More challenging is to find the next Mbappe or next Bellingham or next Roy Keane.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos Group and Manchester United
Ratcliffe states it’ll be ‘a longer road’ to success
Ratcliffe’s also stated it will be “a longer road” to make United the force they once were but is looking to create an environment for success over the coming years.
“You have to believe with Manchester United, if we get all the details right, all the right people in the right boxes, doing the right things in the right environment, that sporting elite environment that the results will drop out the bottom.
“Those things are not right at Manchester United today as we’ve said very clearly.
“It’s not a light switch, it’s a much longer road to travel because there’s so many aspects to it.”