Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe conceded several of their players are “not good enough” and “overpaid”, while insisting Ruben Amorim is doing “a super job” at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League, 15 points adrift of fourth-place Chelsea, following a dismal campaign in which Amorim replaced the departed Erik ten Hag in November.
United could still secure Champions League football next season, but would need to go all the way in the Europa League, with the second leg of their last-16 tie with Real Sociedad coming up on Thursday.
The club has spent big in recent seasons, though the likes of Antony and Jadon Sancho, who cost £81.5million and £73m respectively, are currently out on loan after failing to shine at Old Trafford.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro arrived for £70m in 2022, while Rasmus Hojlund (£72m) and Andre Onana (£47.2m) joined the following year.
All five players have come under scrutiny during their time with the Red Devils, while co-owner Ratcliffe also namechecked them in an interview with BBC Sport.
“If you look at the players that we didn’t buy; we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho,” he said.
“These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out. It takes time for us to move away from the past into a new place in the future.
“Some are not good enough and some are probably overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time. We’ve got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future.”
Amorim’s arrival has not sparked a dramatic change of fortunes for United, who have lost nine of their 26 matches under his reign.
Nevertheless, the 40-year-old former Sporting CP boss has the full backing of Ratcliffe.
“If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job, to be honest,” the 72-year-old said.
“I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager, and I think he will be there for a long time.
“You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. I think you saw a glimpse of it against Arsenal. How many players against Arsenal on the bench did you recognise?
“How many have ever worn a Manchester United shirt for [the first team as there’s no squad left? We are down to the last 10 or 11 men in the squad really, of proper first-team players. Ruben is doing a super job.”
“He is, as most great coaches are, an emotional character. Ruben is not perfect, but I am a great supporter of Ruben,” he said.
“He wants a dressing room that is full of people who are totally committed to winning football matches. He won’t tolerate people who don’t have 100% of that attitude. The players have to be in the same box.”
