Sir Jim Ratcliffe accused of 'cowardice' after extreme Man Utd cost-cutting measures | OneFootball

Manchester United fan group The 1958 launched a scathing review of the first 12 months under the minority ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS, describing the time as "a year of shame and disgrace".

Ratcliffe, a self-proclaimed boyhood Manchester United fan, originally bought a 27.7% stake in the club. The British billionaire increased his shareholding to 28.94% earlier this month with an injection of £79.3m, but has been repeatedly criticised for a severe approach to cost-cutting.

A total of 250 non-playing staff members were made redundant over the summer, those that survived the cull have had various privileges wiped out - including this year's Christmas party - and even legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson had his lucrative ambassadorial role terminated.

Ratcliffe attracted another wave of backlash after allegedly cancelling United's long-standing payments to a charity which supports former players of the club. This proved to be the final straw before The 1958 delivered a sharp-tongued statement.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe (centre) pictured alongside his trusted executive Sir Dave Brailsford (right) / ADRIAN DENNIS/GettyImages

"Sir Jim's strategy to cut costs is nothing other than an affront on the working-class foundations our club was built on," the fan group posted on X. "It's a penny wise and pound-foolish approach. Hitting those most in need and can least afford it who have no voice is an act of cowardice and shows a total lack of understanding."

The 1958 also had issue with: "Price hikes for match going fans. Removal of concessions for kids & pensioners. Club staff losing jobs at all levels saving peanuts. The [Dan] Ashworth debacle costing millions. Ticketing services impacted by cuts (away collections). Moral of the club and hopes of fans in the gutter. Stewards bonuses being removed & numbers cut.

"You've seen the queues right (more on this another time). Donations to the charity that supports ex-United players stopped without any notice. Nothing but total contempt for the fans and the very fabric of what our club was built on."

Manchester United are mired in 14th at the wrong end of the Premier League table. Yet, much like the club's former player Cristiano Ronaldo, the 1958 did not blame current manager Ruben Amorim for the team's decline.

As with any attack on United's hierarchy, the focus soon turned to the club's majority shareholders: "An investor with strength of conviction would address the real issues impacting the club. The Glazers. Their mismanagement of the club for over 20 years. Their crippling debt placed on the club and the millions of pounds paid by the club in interest payments each year."

The 1958 added: "We now have the worse of both worlds. An attack from the top down with the Glazers creaming off the club and an attack from the bottom up with the 'local Failsworth lad' preying on those who can least afford it and have no voice.

"This cannot continue! We will not allow this to continue!"