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A recent comment made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe about the club’s famed academy has been clarified.
Commentary by Ratcliffe
Ratcliffe and INEOS took operational control of United in February last year after completing a partial investment in the club.
Their efforts to return United to the glories of the past have also extended to revamping the academy, which is in a much better state than it was a few years ago. The academy has been a cornerstone of United’s legacy, but was somewhat neglected following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Last month, Ratcliffe appeared on The Times’ The Business podcast and appeared to take a dig at Carrington. Ratcliffe insisted standards had deteriorated before claiming the academy’s primary purpose is to nurture players who can be sold to generate profit.
The British businessman commented: “The academy has really slipped at Manchester United.”
“You need the academy to continually produce talent.”
“It helps you financially. That’s not a light switch. You don’t solve the academy problem overnight. It takes time. We just hired a new academy director.”
The sun reported that these comments left staff and parents of United’s youngsters baffled.
Now the newspaper has provided an update, highlighting that Ratcliffe’s statement may have been misinterpreted.
Clarification offered
Samuel Luckhurst of The Sun reveals: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comment that Manchester United’s academy had ‘really slipped’ was NOT a reference to the playing talent.”
“United insiders claim Ratcliffe was referring specifically to the academy’s facilities, rather than the playing team’s standards.”
“The club plans to redevelop the academy facilities to bring them in line with the first men’s and women’s team buildings opened over the past two years.”
The new head of the United Academy, Stephen Torpey, outlined his vision for the club’s youth academy and what the future holds under his leadership.
Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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