After three months of promises of a 'Manchester United promotion', the clouds have cleared and the first team players have volunteered to cover the cost of their return flights from London to Manchester after the FA Cup final. United beat Manchester City in London to win the Cup, but the team stuck to its guns and senior players insisted on arranging their own flights.
When confronted by reporters, United insisted that arrangements had been made for Sunday morning and that the team would return after the final night party. However, some players have sparked controversy by choosing to fly direct from London for their vacation.
"The players and executives felt that returning to Manchester by bus was not professional enough and considered it a more economical option, so they paid for their own flights." A source revealed that "the team were doubly embarrassed despite the swift concession. Ah Manchester United, the players seem to be treated like a League One team."
United's period of instability has transcended any player's memory, but the recent turmoil dates back to the Glazer family's November 2022 announcement that they were seeking outside investment and a possible sale of the team, which they acquired in 2005.
The strategic review lasted for months as Ratcliffe's Invesco group battled rivals led by Jassim for ownership of Manchester United. Neither side met the Glazer family's £6 billion asking price, and Ratcliffe eventually acquired a 27.7% stake for £1.25 billion to gain control of United's soccer business.
Ratcliffe took over the Manchester United soccer business promising to lead the team back to the top of soccer and asking for patience from the fans. He began by questioning United's problems and taking responsibility for improving the team.
Eight months into running Manchester United's soccer business, with Inglis making a raft of changes, including hiring a new CEO, sporting director and technical director, United have been flat in the second half of the Premier League. Manager Jens Ten Hahn has faced questions about job security after every game.
In an effort to cut costs and optimize operations, Ratcliffe announced 250 layoffs, the elimination of the company credit card, and plans to reduce its workforce to the same size as Real Madrid.
"Woodward wants us to be like Barcelona, Richard Arnold thinks the Formula One racing model should be emulated, and now Inglis wants us to be like Real Madrid." A source said, "United are the biggest team in the world, so why are they always copying others?"
Players were unhappy with their experience at Manchester United, with some suggesting Bruno Fernandes was ready to leave before eventually opting to stay and sign a new deal.
There is discontent within the United dressing room over cuts and treatment, with one source revealing that a backroom staff member was optimized to work in tears on his last day with no one caring.
Manchester United looked forward to the new season after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but rumors of Southgate becoming the new manager broke down and United decided to keep Ten Hare.
Some players have struggled to boost their confidence as Ten Hagar insists on being tough. He kept his job after the FA Cup win, but assistants such as Mitchell van der Gaag, Steve McClaren and Bennie McCarthy have left the team.
Ten Hahn recruited Rene Harker from the Forward Eagles and former Manchester United striker Fanny became an assistant coach, who arrived this summer and quickly produced results.
Fanny has excelled during his time at Manchester United and fans are expecting him to return. Tenhave trained in Manchester and traveled to the away end later in the afternoon, with the players unhappy with the post-match overnight stay.
Manchester United extended their winless run to five games with a 0-0 draw against Villa in front of Ratcliffe and other management. Ten Hahn said that the team will improve its goal scoring soon.
United's stadium woes persisted as the Glazer family announced a strategic review, which some saw as a realization of the outdated facilities at Old Trafford and Carrington training bases and the lack of funds to improve them.
Ratcliffe wants to rebuild Old Trafford but there are concerns about how Manchester United's 100-year history at the Theater of Dreams will hold up. The search for funds to rebuild the stadium is still ongoing.
Controversy over Manchester United's attitude to the development of the women's team has led to the departure of women's captain Katie Zelm and England international Mary Epps. United have insisted they are committed to the development of the women's team, but women's team boss Mark Skinner has had to mediate between fans and team owners.
Ratcliffe believes that given time, things will get better. He's accomplished his goal by hiring good executives, and Ashworth will have a huge impact on reinforcements.
United were publicly reluctant to give a schedule for being among the title contenders, but Berarda said the goal is to win the title by 2028 to celebrate the team's 150th anniversary.
It gives Ratcliffe more than three seasons to realize the ambitions and get United back to where they deserve to be, while also showing how far behind United are and the amount of work required to reverse the vicious circle.
