“Mbappe would not have solved our problems” — Sir Jim Ratcliffe

In a recent statement, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe emphasized that the solution to the club’s ongoing challenges is not to make marquee signings like Kylian Mbappe. Speaking at The Times CEO Summit on Thursday, Ratcliffe outlined his vision for building a more balanced squad.

“We are more grassroots than that. One player is not going to solve the problem at Manchester United,” Ratcliffe stated. “The first thing we need to do is build a balanced squad and ultimately maybe top it off with one or two players like Mbappe. It will take two or three summer windows to get to a better place.”

Ratcliffe’s comments come in the wake of Kylian Mbappe’s high-profile move to Real Madrid. The French superstar left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent and signed a five-year deal with the Spanish giants worth €15 million a year after taxes. Additionally, Mbappe will receive a €150 million signing-on fee, spread over the duration of his contract.

The approach advocated by Ratcliffe marks a strategic shift from pursuing immediate star power to focusing on long-term squad development. This philosophy aims to address the structural issues within the team and create a sustainable path to success.

As Manchester United looks to rebuild and reclaim its position at the top of English and European football, Ratcliffe’s vision will be put to the test in the coming transfer windows.