Speaking to the media yesterday, Jim Ratcliffe took questions on all things Manchester United.
His comments on Mason Greenwood were pretty sickening – it seems he’ll offer an olive branch to the disgraced forward if he proves himself to be a “good guy” (it takes one watch of those vile recordings to realise he isn’t) – but his comments on Newcastle United and pursuit of Dan Ashworth hit the headlines on Tyneside.
What Jim thinks behind closed doors is up to him, but it seemed such a naive move to lay his cards on the table so publicly. Calling the period of gardening leave “absurd”, suggesting Newcastle are being “stupid” and calling Ashworth a “10/10 director” he’s clearly so desperate to have only strengthens our negotiating hand.
He’s made it so, so clear that he’s irritated, he’s using the media to back us into a corner (which won’t work and will only anger us even further) and it’s obvious how desperate he is to have Ashworth at Old Trafford well before his gardening leave ends in January 2026.
Considering Man Utd waited so long to make a formal approach – which created months of unsettling rumours and left so many at Newcastle second-guessing Ashworth’s intentions – coupled with the fact they are now a top-six rival and attempting to poach a recent recruit and key member of staff who is currently under contract, they aren’t in a position to call the shots. Either they pay up or shut up and wait until 2026.
It’s been widely reported that Newcastle were left ‘furious’ and ‘angered’ by Man Utd’s conduct over the past few months, yet Ratcliffe’s inflammatory comments yesterday which clearly belittled our stance (which we have every right to have) will only leave us less likely to strike a compromise.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised at this point if we upped our asking price or refused to do do business entirely until 2026. I mean, Man Utd had no interest in doing us favours when quoting a £16.5m loan package for Jesse Lingard two years ago…
Jim thinks this no-nonsense approach will show the might of Man Utd and force us to buckle. In reality, it’s just the sort of arrogance and entitlement that makes him a perfect match for that club.
We should’ve expected nothing less from a tax dodger who wants tax payers money to build him a new stadium.
Careful Olly you’ll upset the Norwich scarf waving Surrey bunch again 😂
Porkpie(Quote)
I just love the idea that he can get the govt to buy him a new stadium as it will be a stadium for the North. Good luck with that.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Deluded rich boy, who does he think he is?
As, a billionaire business man, since he’s stirred up this situation himself, poaching Ashworth, leaving him unable to work, own it, pay up or wait till 2026, doesn’t bother us, but, should him, has he no scruples or respect for anyone!!
He wants a new stadium built from public money, no respect or understanding, at least PIF would pay for a new stadium because they have full respect for the fans and not milk from the public during a cost of living crisis!!
Stand by the fans, listen to us and we will cherish success when it comes, not because we’re entitled!!
Don’t let this bully intimate our great club, we’ve got them worried!!
PEDSTER(Quote)
Give them the Winston Churchill in reverse!
Joseph(Quote)
Sorry Olly – enjoy the blog, but when it comes to business you are so far off the mark, it’s embarrassing.
How do you think Ratcliffe got to where he is? Naïve? Or just bluntly honest?
Of course he thinks Ashworth is a 10/10 Sports Director. How is saying that a mistake? Why else would he be chasing him? What’s he going to say? “Naaah! He’s 5/10 at best but we’ll take him any way”?
All he has done is make it very clear that he want’s Ashworth.
Can you honestly see Ashworth going back to work at Newcastle after all this? After saying he wants to go? After being placed on gardening leave?
Newcastle are trying to play chess with Ratcliffe. Straight fact, you don’t hold ANY CARDS when you play chess.
All Ratcliffe has to do is say OK – we’ll wait. Ashworth stays on leave, can’t work, potential law suit, Newcastle have to hire and pay someone else, Ashworth eventually leaves for nothing. And we end up with bitter working relationship with Man U.
It’s ridiculous to suggest that Ratcliffe is naïve and has made a mistake. He one of the most astute businessmen in the country.
Have you never walked into a used car showroom and said “I like that car It’s exactly what I want but I’ve only got this much! ” You may not get that exact price but you get a hell of a discount.
The seller NEVER has all the power, because there’s always another option out there somewhere for the buyer.
Newcastle have screwed this up completely, and anyone referring back to the Lindgard issue is just desperately trying to defend our position with silly “whataboutery?” that, because of all the personnel changes at Man U is nowhere near being relevant .
We could let them have him for 10 million and everyone comes out of this having done well.
BykerBill(Quote)
Byker bill what a clown … if Radcliffe wants him he pays if not then Dan can go back to work or spend a year and a half doing nothing as his memory disappears.., Newcastle are already looking to recruit and the owners have far more money than Radcliffe … your just a sore losing manure fan … the great Jim will fix it nonsense .. nice are rubbish and he changed the manager 5 times .., he is perfect for Man Utd entitled, smug and useless
Mike(Quote)
I’ll be honest, I don’t even read your comments now because everything is a long-winded dig at the thing I’ve just written and tends to make zero sense. At least have some balance.
But yeh, just because Ratcliffe has made billions means he can never make a mistake….got you.
I’m not the only one who thinks his handling of this Ashworth saga was very poor a few days ago. In what world have his recent comments helped Man Utd? They’ve proven that he’s annoyed, is desperate to have him ASAP and he’s thrown a few digs at Newcastle in the process. Hardly convincing us to negotiate on his terms, is it…
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Ashworth is the bad guy here me thinks. He signed up for a long term project and then jumps ship at the first opportunity. Not all his signings have been good buisness and we should let him leave as soon as we have a replacement. £10m+ off Manure would suffice.
Darren Speirs(Quote)