Man Utd fans will forget but not forgive - they deserve better than Sir Jim Ratcliffe

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To be scrupulously fair, first things first. If you are making a list of billionaire football club owners who hold - or have held - unpalatable views on a whole range of subjects, it will be as long as Manchester City’s Premier League charge sheet.

There are not going to be many characters known for their humanitarianism, socialism, compassion and all-round selflessness. It is a sweeping generalisation, sure, but those types of people tend not to become billionaire football club owners.

And, in terms of fairness, it is even more scrupulous - if deeply unpleasant - to acknowledge that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s beliefs are likely to be shared by a section of Manchester United supporters. Let’s be realistic, there is a section of our society that believes the United Kingdom has been “colonised by immigrants”, just as Monaco Jim believes, no matter what his mealy-mouthed apology said.

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We know what that section of society looks like - Ratcliffe’s views were lauded by Tommy Robinson on social media. Enough said.

But again, it would be naive to suggest with any sort of certainty that the petrochemical tax-avoider is alone amongst club owners in having such dismal views on the inclusivity of civilised societies. Ratcliffe, though, has made himself different.

Although he owns less than 30 percent of Manchester United, he has made himself a figurehead of the club. He has made himself a figurehead of one of the most respectable, admired (even if grudgingly by many), inclusive institutions in the history not only of professional football, but of professional sport.

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And he comes out with this? At the very best, embarrassing. At the worst, shameful.

Is this what United stands for? The backlash to his comments about immigration has been wonderfully fierce, some of the most impactful vehemence coming from United supporters groups.

And the backlash should not just be restricted to his ‘colonised’ comments. What should also be of significant alarm to Manchester United fans is the self-satisfied declaration that he is improving things at Old Trafford.

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When Ratcliffe took over, United were also still in the FA Cup and heading for a successful day at Wembley. Two years on, they have been eliminated in the third round.

This improving, talented squad, under the guidance of the impressive Michael Carrick, might yet re-establish themselves as an elite force in the domestic and European game. And then, Ratcliffe’s latest objectionable comments might be forgotten by many.

But they will not be forgiven. It is impossible to imagine him being the sort of figurehead this wonderful club should have. For the years they have had to endure the odious Glazers, United fans deserved better than Ratcliffe.

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