Sir Jim Ratcliffe made 'unfortunate' comment to ex-Man Utd women's captain Katie Zelem that speaks volumes

Manchester United minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe made an 'unfortunate' comment towards the former captain of the women's team, Katie Zelem, last year, a new report has claimed.

Ratcliffe officially completed his acquisition of 25 per cent of United in February last year, becoming a minority co-owner of the club.

He embarked on a tour of Old Trafford and the club's training facilities in the same month, meeting members of the men's and women's team and other club staff.

Both teams have facilities at United's Carrington training ground, though The Guardian reported in the summer that the women's side would move into 'portable buildings' for the 2024/25 campaign due to renovation work on the men's first team building.

According to a new report by The Telegraph, part of Ratcliffe's tour of Carrington last February involving him meeting select members of the women's squad, including captain Zelem.

Ratcliffe met Zelem and centre-back Millie Turner during a tour of the Man Utd women's team facilities (Image: Getty)

However, the British billionaire is claimed to have asked the midfielder what she did at the club. SPORTbible have contacted Manchester United for comment.

The reported comment has received criticism from United fans on social media, with one describing it as 'embarrassing'.

Like Ratcliffe, Zelem was born in Failsworth, Oldham, and had spent six years at United since signing from Juventus.

She joined United at the age of eight and stayed for nine years until she had to leave the club due to it not having a professional setup.

At the end of the 2023/24 season, Zelem and fellow key player Mary Earps decided to leave the club upon their expiry of their contracts.

Ratcliffe drew criticism from fans in December when he described the women's team as an 'opportunity' and that his focus was on the men's team - which he said is the 'main issue'.

He told United We Stand: "There's only so much that you can do and our focus has been on the men's team. If not, you get spread too thinly.

"We need to sort out the main issue - the men's team. The women's team is an opportunity. Women's football is growing really quickly in popularity and size."

Man Utd's women's team are enjoying a strong season (Image: Getty)

The Times did report earlier this month that United had internally unveiled a 'Mission 1' plan, which aims to deliver a maiden Women's Super League title, alongside its 'Mission 21' for a 21st Premier League crown for the men's team by 2028. It is unclear what these plans entail beyond that.

United are currently second in the Women's Super League this season behind runaway leaders Chelsea.

Marc Skinner's side have won six of their last seven league games, including a 4-2 away win over rivals Manchester City that saw Ella Toone score a hat-trick.