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Topics: Manchester City, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Football, Premier League
Matthew Holt
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Football, Premier League
Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes his influence at Manchester United can help topple crosstown rivals Manchester City.
After completing his 27.7 minority purchase at Old Trafford, Ratcliffe has pledged an initial £158m investment into the club.
With United having now not won the Premier League for 11 years, the INEOS chief believes time will only bring success back for the Red Devils.
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Coining a similar quote used by legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson in his first sit-down interview with the media, Ratcliffe hopes the good times will soon return to the Theatre of Dreams.
“We have a lot to learn from our noisy neighbour and the other neighbour,” he said.
“They are the enemy at the end of the day. There is nothing I would like better than to knock both of them from their perch.”
Man City and Liverpool have continued to dominate the English game in the last 10 years, with only Chelsea enjoying varied levels of success.
Erik ten Hag's side are currently sixth in the Premier League table, with the ultimate aim this season to ensure qualification to the UEFA Champions League.
Alongside fellow INEOS pal Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe also insisted his pledge into the club is not all driven by a financial incentive.
"We're really, really clear about that - It's football-led," he added.
"So if we're successful on the pitch, then everything else will follow.
"In monitoring clubs, Manchester United a bit, I think, in the last 10 years or so, that if you're really good in commercial and you make lots of money, then you'll be successful in football because you've got lots of money to spend.
"But I think, that's flawed because it only starts for a certain while and you start to degrade the brand if you're not careful.
"But we're really clear that football will drive the club. If we're really successful at football, then commercial will follow. And we'll make more money."