Lewis Hamilton’s past discussions with Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggest that the billionaire businessman genuinely has Manchester United’s best interests at heart, even as he implements sweeping and controversial changes at the club.
Ratcliffe, who finalized the purchase of a 25% stake in Manchester United last year, has faced significant criticism since taking partial control of the club. His tenure has been marked by a series of drastic decisions, including the dismissal of legendary figures and large-scale cost-cutting measures. These actions have sparked outrage among supporters and former club officials alike.
Among the most contentious moves, 250 staff members have been made redundant, club icon Sir Alex Ferguson has been relieved of his ambassadorial duties, and both Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth have been dismissed. Additionally, ticket prices have been raised across the board, with the cheapest available ticket now priced at a steep £66.
United’s summer transfer window spending spree—which saw the club invest a staggering £200 million on new players—has yielded mixed results. On the pitch, the team has struggled to find consistency, with United currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League standings. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe is reportedly preparing another wave of redundancies, with over 100 additional staff members expected to lose their jobs in the coming months.
Despite the backlash, Hamilton’s insights into Ratcliffe’s passion for football suggest that the British billionaire is committed to the long-term success of the club. Ratcliffe, who is also a major investor in the Mercedes F1 team, formed a strong relationship with seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton during their time working together. The two frequently engaged in discussions about football, ownership, and club management, highlighting Ratcliffe’s deep interest in the sport.
Back in 2022, Hamilton spoke about his close relationship with Ratcliffe, describing him as a “partner” rather than just a “boss” during their time together at Mercedes. He also hinted at potential future collaborations with Ratcliffe, suggesting that their shared business interests could extend beyond Formula 1.
“Jim’s part boss, but I’d say we’re more partners because we’re in this together, and I hope in the future to do something with Jim and build with him,” Hamilton stated. “I don’t know where that will be or what that will be, so I can’t really say.”
While Hamilton admitted that he had not yet been approached about being involved in United’s ownership, he expressed a strong desire to play a larger role in sports ownership, particularly in promoting black equity and representation.
“I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in black ownership—there is a lack of it in sports—and black equity. Again, there is a real lack of that.”
The Formula 1 legend also emphasized Ratcliffe’s enthusiasm for football, revealing that the billionaire is highly engaged in discussions about club strategies, player performances, and even rival teams like Arsenal.
“I am very close with Jim, so I am aware of where he is at with United. We talk a lot about football as he is very passionate about it. We have great discussions about what his team is doing; we talk about how Arsenal is playing.”
Ratcliffe Defends His Vision for United Amid Criticism
In response to mounting criticism over his management of United, Ratcliffe has strongly defended his strategy, arguing that difficult and unpopular decisions are necessary to restore the club’s former glory.
Speaking in December, he explained his rationale for making deep cuts at the club, citing a need to transform United into a self-sustaining business that can reinvest in top-tier football talent rather than waste funds on inefficiencies.
“Manchester United has become mediocre. It is supposed to be one of the best football clubs in the world. We have to make some difficult and unpopular decisions. If you shy away from the difficult decisions, then nothing much is going to change,” he told the United We Stand fanzine.
Ratcliffe also addressed concerns over financial sustainability, revealing that the club’s recent history of operating at a loss has made it increasingly reliant on bank loans to cover financial shortfalls. He stressed that such an approach is ultimately unsustainable and that structural changes are necessary.
“I know we get criticism in the press, but we do need to challenge the cost of running this club because what I want to be free for us to do is buy really good footballers, not spend so much of the money on infrastructure.”
“We can’t run a business at a loss, which is where United have been in the last couple of years. If you are losing money, you have to borrow from the bank to pay for the losses. Eventually, that becomes unsustainable.”
The Road Ahead for Manchester United Under Ratcliffe
As Ratcliffe pushes forward with his controversial transformation of Manchester United, fans remain divided. Some believe his drastic measures are necessary for the long-term health of the club, while others feel he is damaging its identity.
While Hamilton’s comments suggest that Ratcliffe is genuinely passionate about football, only time will tell whether his vision for Manchester United will ultimately lead to the success he envisions—or whether his tenure will be remembered for instability and drastic cost-cutting measures.
BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton’s comments on Sir Jim Ratcliffe speak volumes amid fresh Man Utd controversy, its caused a major outrage
