Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS Urged to Prioritize Trophies Over Money at Manchester United
Manchester United has faced criticism from former players regarding the focus on trophies over financial gains. With City's dominance overshadowing United, the club's priorities have come under scrutiny. Giuseppe Rossi highlights the importance of returning to winning ways for the Red Devils.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS and the Glazers have been told to stop chasing money at Manchester United and focus on winning trophies. The Red Devils have been overtaken by ‘noisy neighbours’ City in Premier League and European pecking orders, with Giuseppe Rossi telling GOAL why those behind the scenes at Old Trafford need to get their priorities in order.Under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United established domestic and continental dominance. When bidding farewell to an iconic coach in 2013, the Red Devils had 13 Premier League titles and a couple of Champions League triumphs on their history-making roll of honour.City have since taken their collection of English top-flight crowns to eight - in the modern era - and conquered Europe as part of their own Treble success in 2022-23. With Pep Guardiola at the helm, they have turned Manchester from a shade of red into one of sky blue.United have spent more than a decade toiling to get back on top, with little return being seen on big investment in the transfer market. Questions have continued to be asked of those in the boardroom, with Ratcliffe and INEOS doing little to calm the anti-Glazer sentiment.The Red Devils remain a big draw, and one of the most powerful sporting enterprises on the planet, and Rossi believes that will stand them in good stead. Progress of sorts has been made recently under interim head coach Michael Carrick, with a top-four finish back on the cards at Old Trafford.Quizzed on whether United will become a go-to destination for the world’s best players again - as they were when he represented them alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney - Rossi, speaking in association with talkSPORT Bet Online Slots, told GOAL: “I think they still are. I think people still dream about playing for Man United. It is the biggest club in the world. So whenever there's that chance, I feel like they're able to attract.“Manchester United, I feel like, is always a destination for the best players, for the young players. It's still the best club in the world. They just need to get back on track when it comes to results. “This year, they're doing a great job with Carrick, filling in for [Ruben] Amorim and being able to find an identity again, being able to find the Manchester United way. People are always talking about certain goals that have been scored that look like the old way of playing in the Fergie days. And once you find that identity, I feel like you can build upon it. “And this year, they have to be realistic that their goal is to find European football again, Champions League football again. And I think they're on a good path of doing so. And yeah, the next year, they're able to build something, have continuity, hopefully with Carrick and get back to winning. They certainly appear to be on the right path again, United.”Pressed on whether United can overtake City in the next five years and reclaim bragging rights in Manchester, Rossi added on issues that need to be addressed off the field: “That's interesting. You know, do the owners of Manchester United care about being the biggest trophy-wise, title-wise, or the biggest revenue-wise? “There's two different ways of looking at it. For people who care about football, it's all about the titles, it's all about winning, it's all about being the best. Football has changed. It's all about the dollar signs outside of football first. And, you know, they are the top dog. They're still the top dog, I think, right? In global football, if not, they're second to Real Madrid or Barcelona or whatever. “So what do they care about the most? The fans, they care about the titles. I care about the titles. I'm sure the players care about the titles, and rightfully so. It should be about that. And we shall see. We shall see if that's something that the front office is going to transmit to these players and how we want to get back to winning titles instead of being the highest revenue-generating team in the world.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingSince Ferguson retired, United have won two FA Cups, the League Cup on a couple of occasions, the Community Shield twice and the Europa League. Over the same period of time, City have collected 21 trophies.Guardiola has his team in the hunt for four honours this season - at home and abroad - while the Red Devils hit a 111-year low when bowing out of both domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle and have had no European football on their agenda in 2025-26.
History of Dominance Under Ferguson
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United enjoyed a period of immense success both domestically and in Europe. With multiple Premier League titles and Champions League triumphs, the club set a benchmark for excellence.
Challenges Since Ferguson's Departure
Following Ferguson's retirement, United struggled to replicate their past glories. Despite significant investment in the transfer market, the club failed to reclaim its former dominance.
Criticism Towards Ratcliffe, INEOS, and Glazers
Critics have targeted Sir Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS, and the Glazers for prioritizing financial gains over on-field success at Manchester United. The lack of silverware in recent years has raised questions about the club's direction.
Player Perspective on United's Appeal
Former player Giuseppe Rossi believes that Manchester United remains an attractive destination for top players. He acknowledges the club's historical significance and potential to regain its status as a football powerhouse.
Path to Recovery
With interim head coach Michael Carrick making progress, United aims to secure Champions League football and build towards future success. Reestablishing the club's identity and playing style are seen as key steps in the journey back to the top.
Focus on Titles vs. Revenue
The debate between prioritizing trophies or financial gains within the club's leadership is an ongoing issue. Rossi emphasizes the importance of winning titles and questions whether the front office shares the same objectives.
Contrasting Trophy Records with City
Manchester City's success in recent years has highlighted United's struggles in competing for major honors. Guardiola's team's impressive trophy haul contrasts sharply with United's limited silverware collection since Ferguson's era.
Future Prospects and Challenges
As City continues to excel on multiple fronts, Manchester United faces challenges in closing the gap and reestablishing itself as a dominant force. The club's ability to balance financial interests with sporting ambitions will be crucial for its success.




