Manchester United players aren’t too fazed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on immigration after the British billionaire claimed the UK had been ‘colonised by migrants’.
The 71-year-old made the comments while speaking to Sky News, sparking fierce debate on the issue in the process.
Ratcliffe, who primarily lives in Monaco after moving his tax residence there in 2020, said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.
“I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money.
“The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”
Since then, Ratcliffe has suffered a huge backlash.
It emerged that United’s majority owners, the Glazers, fear that it’ll be difficult to attract sponsors due to the damage his words have caused. It has also been reported that there are concerns within the club that getting funding for their new stadium will be a far harder task, too.
Manchester United players aren’t too fazed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on immigration after the British billionaire claimed the UK had been ‘colonised by migrants’
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PA
Ratcliffe did offer an apology of sorts, with the Briton apologising for the offence his choice of words has caused.
To further inflame the situation, United released a statement appearing to distance themselves from their co-owner, who purchased a minority stake in the club in February 2024.
Some supporters have been left fearful that, with the Red Devils possessing a diverse squad made up of internationals from all over the world, several could look to leave the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s inflammatory remarks about immigration have left senior figures at Manchester United feeling “mortified”
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PABut former United chief Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, has claimed that players aren’t too bothered because they know Ratcliffe’s view on things doesn’t speak for the club as a whole.
“I’ve not heard anything to suggest it’s had a real impact,” he said.
“I think the players have got more brains than he has, in all honesty, they’re intelligent lads and they understand that his views aren’t reflective of the club.
“They’re not shared by the majority at Old Trafford, let’s put it that way, and the players will know that from people they see day to day.
“It’s a very fair question, because the players are well within their rights to be annoyed and I’m sure many of them are.
“For example: if you were Kobbie Mainoo, whose parents are from Ghana, what would you be thinking?
Man Utd have a diverse playing squad made up of internationals from all over the world
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PA“But from what I hear, they realise the truth of the situation and that is that Ratcliffe and his views have no impact on Man United as a football club.
“This it the thing though, we shouldn’t even have to be considering whether the owner’s political statements might impact the players, it’s embarrassing.
“In the position he is in, he should never have been allowed to come out and say things like that which are obviously going to lead to problems.”
Ratcliffe is set to be involved in United’s search for a new manager following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January.
Michael Carrick is the favourite for the role, with the ex-Red Devils midfielder winning four of his five matches since taking charge on an interim basis.
Other candidates include Julian Nagelsmann, the current Germany manager, and ex-Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi.
