Manchester United fans respond to Ratcliffe with Stretford End banner celebrating immigrants | OneFootball

Despite Michael Carrick steadying Manchester United and delivering the Premier League’s best points haul since his arrival, protests at Old Trafford persist. In the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, home fans unveiled a banner aimed at co-owner Jim Ratcliffe after his 11 February claim that Britain had been colonised by immigrants.

The Stretford End used the first home game since those comments to show disapproval, with a banner picturing Eric Cantona, Patrice Evra, Park Ji-sung, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Amad Diallo. According to the Press Association, the FA later chose not to sanction Ratcliffe, issuing only a reminder over media interviews.

A day after Ratcliffe’s words, the club issued a statement, without naming him, stressing that Manchester United is inclusive and welcoming, and that its diverse players, staff and global fanbase reflect Manchester, a city anyone can call home.

Asked about the row, Carrick declined to criticise Ratcliffe and instead underlined the club’s values of equality, diversity and mutual respect. Pep Guardiola also spoke, saying he respects Ratcliffe and argued immigrants are too often portrayed as a national problem, which he called very serious.

Within 24 hours Ratcliffe apologised via INEOS, saying he regretted any offence in the United Kingdom and Europe and argued for controlled, well managed immigration to support growth. He owns 27.7% of United through INEOS after buying in 2024, and has lived in Monaco since 2020. He had previously complained about uncontrolled migration, citing millions on benefits and many arriving.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo