Man Utd boss: 'Buying Mbappe is unwise'

Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe ruled out the possibility of Man Utd buying stars like Kylian Mbappe or Jude Bellingham.

"Instead of spending a fortune to buy success, I would rather find a way to discover a new Mbappe," Mr. Ratcliffe said on Geraint Thomas' podcast on March 19. "Everyone understands that buying Mbappe is not a wise move. Mbappe and Bellingham are both good players, but we are not focusing on these players."

Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe outside Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England on March 17, 2023. Photo: SkySports — Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe outside Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England on March 17, 2023. Photo: *SkySports*

Thomas, the 2018 Tour de France winner, plays for Team Sky, owned by billionaire Ratcliffe. Britain's richest man has just bought 27.7% of Man Utd's shares, becoming the club's largest individual shareholder, with the right to run football operations on behalf of the Glazer family.

During the interview, Thomas repeatedly asked Ratcliffe about the possibility of bringing more stars to Old Trafford, but the chairman of the INEOS Chemicals Group refused. "Man Utd have been doing that for the last 10 years," he added. "The first thing we need to do is put senior people in the right positions to manage the team. From there, we make sure we recruit the right players."

Ratcliffe said football decisions would be made by him and his adviser Dave Brailsford. Brailsford is Sky boss, INEOS sporting director and a Man Utd board member. The British billionaire also confirmed he had appointed former Man City director Omar Berrada as CEO. He was also prepared to pay a compensation fee to appoint Newcastle director of football Dan Ashworth to the same role at Man Utd.

British media believe that only when the upper structure is stable will Man Utd leaders start building the squad. The "Red Devils" still have a small chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season, and have reached the FA Cup semi-finals. Coach Erik ten Hag is likely to keep his job at least until the end of the season.

Man Utd are no longer in the running to win the Premier League this season, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City separated by just one point in a three-horse race. Asked who he would like to see win, Ratcliffe said: "I hate all three."

Hoang An

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