Sir Jim Ratcliffe reveals why he DIDN’T sack Erik ten Hag as Manchester United co-owner claims English giants ‘clearly lost their way’ in the years after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure

Manchester United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed why he made the bold decision not to sack Erik ten Hag despite the club suffering their worst season in the Premier League era.

The 71-year-old also explained why he felt the club had ‘lost its way’ prior to his arrival as he continues to shape the English giants.

The Red Devils finished the 2023-24 Premier League season in eighth place, the club’s lowest ranking since the 1989-90 season.

A negative goal difference for the first time in 34 years, combined with 14 league defeats, the club’s most since 1989-90, made it a season to forget.

Fortunately, a win over city rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final ensured United would play European football next season, but many still doubted Ten Hag’s credibility after a poor season in the league.

Despite calls for the Dutchman’s sacking from fans and pundits, Ratcliffe opted to stay with Ten Hag rather than shake things up and start over for the sixth time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

In an interview with The Times, Ratcliffe explained why he gave Ten Hag a new contract until 2026.

“Erik is a good guy and he did his best, but he did too much,” Ratcliffe said.

‘He was trying to get the crew in order and fix the leaks in the roof at the same time.’

The decision to retain Ten Hag came as something of a surprise, given the sweeping changes Ratcliffe had made elsewhere at the club.

He has already invested heavily in much-needed renovations at Old Trafford amid growing concerns over the façade of the iconic stadium.

Videos of water pouring through the roof during United’s home game against Arsenal late last season went viral, creating an embarrassing sight for the English giants.

Mail Sport has learned that United are considering whether to stay at Old Trafford or build a 100,000 capacity ‘Wembley of the North’, which would cost the club a staggering £2billion.

Ten Hag kept his job despite overseeing Manchester United’s worst Premier League season

It is expected that a decision will be made later this year on where United’s first men’s team will play in the future.

Ratcliffe has also invested heavily in the refurbishment of United’s training ground at Carrington, with the club recently unveiling designs for the new facilities that are to be built.

The 71-year-old also made headlines when he ordered United staff to return to their offices in Manchester and London full-time from June 1.

He also came under heavy criticism when reports emerged that United’s women’s team would be forced to vacate their £10million complex to house the men while work continued at Carrington.

Instead, the women’s team would have to operate from temporary facilities.

It is all part of United’s corrective course after Ratcliffe declared the club had ‘clearly lost its way’.

‘“I mean, the results speak for themselves,” Ratcliffe said.

Ratcliffe has ruffled many feathers internally with some of the changes he has implemented

‘For the last ten or eleven years it should have been a contender for the Premier League and the Champions League [trophies] every year and that hasn’t happened at all.

‘It is a big responsibility to bring the club back to where it should be, it should be performing at least in the top eight in Europe.

“If we can’t do that, then we haven’t been successful.”