Man Utd fans raise red flag after spotting 'disrespectful' comments in new Sir Jim Ratcliffe interview

Manchester United fans are concerned after reading some 'disrespectful' comments made my owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

On Monday, United owner Ratcliffe shocked fans after making several damning claims about the club in a series of interviews addressing backlash he has received in recent weeks.

The INEOS chief suggested that, had he not made a series of controversial cost-cutting decisions since his arrival, the club would have gone bust as soon as Christmas this year.

But now, fans have discovered some other shocking comments from the United owner, and it's got them seriously worried.

Before purchasing a minority stake in United back in February last year, INEOS owned several different sports teams, including Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport, Ligue 1 team OGC Nice, and even a part of the Mercedes Formula One team.

And it is his recent comments about one of these teams that has led to United fans sharing their concerns on social media.

When speaking to The Times, Ratcliffe was asked why INEOS decided to buy part of United, and he strangely commented about his disliking towards their ownership of Nice to explain.

Ratcliffe said: "I can’t honestly answer why we did it. It’s quite a difficult question. With Nice, in the French league, you can buy a club for £100million. It’s much cheaper access.

"But I don’t particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited.”

Reacting to the comments, one fan wrote: "This guy needs a lid on him. Imagine being a Nice fan and hearing this."

While one stated: "I wonder what nice fans will think of this. Their owner doesn't like watching them play cos their level of football isn't high."

Nice have impressed in Ligue 1 this season. (Image: Getty)

And another added: "He just disrespected Nice and league one."

Another one joked: "Disrespecting Nice and he can’t even answer why he bought United, he’s not only a billionaire but also a comedian!"

Ratcliffe's implication that part of his reasoning for buying United was to be able to watch more 'exciting' football than he already could at Nice may surprise some fans given the position of each club this season,

As it stands, Nice are currently third in the Ligue 1 table, granting them a guaranteed place in the Champions League next season should they be able to stay in the top three.

Meanwhile United are 15th in the Premier League, with defying the odds and winning the Europa League their only hope of securing European football next season.