Source: REUTERS/Lee Smith
[Saba Sports News] Recently, British media reviewed the situation one year after Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over Manchester United, stating that the club is facing a dual dilemma of team rebuilding and new stadium construction, and the future is expected to be even more challenging. Manchester United is currently in a difficult position, with the team’s performance continuously declining, approximately 250 employees laid off due to cost-cutting measures, while ineffectively investing £200 million in the transfer market; Erik ten Hag has been dismissed, and new coach Ruben Amorim has not had time to implement a new tactical system; Marcus Rashford’s form and future are uncertain, and sports director Dan Ashworth has left; the stadium facilities are aging, and the team’s performance remains poor. Additionally, from a financial perspective, Manchester United’s situation is even more severe. Since Malcolm Glazer’s acquisition in 2005, Manchester United has paid £815 million in interest, more than three times that of Arsenal, which has the second-highest during the same period. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, the club has invested £1.98 billion in transfers but has fallen behind the Premier League champions by 254 points over 11 seasons. Currently, Manchester United’s total debt is approaching £1 billion, including a record £331 million in transfer debt. The new stadium construction is expected to cost £2-2.3 billion, further increasing the financial burden.