Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has attracted attention during the international break

Manchester United have continued their difficult start to the campaign, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe finding himself under scrutiny. Michael Carrick’s side, who languish in 12th position in the Premier League, face a break from action during the international window, yet off-field matters have attracted attention.

INEOS chief Ratcliffe has faced criticism following his remarks about immigration in the UK. Speaking to the BBC, the 73-year-old said: “Unfortunately, at the moment, I think the UK is on the slide. It’s quite difficult to see how we arrest it. I think ultimately, we need politicians who are tough enough to deal with some very difficult problems.”

He continued: “Nobody’s tough enough to deal with the immigration problem. Nobody’s tough enough to deal with the benefits problem. But somebody needs to do it, otherwise, it ends in a bad place.”

These comments have placed Ratcliffe in conflict with his favourite player Eric Cantona, whose famous “seagulls follow the trawler” quote inspired Ratcliffe’s Trawlers Ltd holding company when he acquired his stake in United. Separately, the club have released their most recent financial accounts, which show that debt levels have risen. MEN Sport examines some of the major stories surrounding United below.

Man United debt increase

United’s financial results for the 2025/26 campaign revealed record revenue numbers but also showed debt levels continue to climb. The club’s “non-current borrowings” now total £577.6million, rising from £471.9m the previous year.

The club did register record revenue of £677.6m, representing a 1.7 per cent rise despite United’s absence from European competition last season. Carrick’s team benefited from a £33.9m surge in broadcasting income following a third-place Premier League finish, up from 15th position in 2025.

United recorded a full-year operating profit of £22.6million but reported an overall deficit of £43m, which represents an increase on last year’s £33m figure. Meanwhile, the absence of European matches and early cup eliminations led to a £6.8m decline in matchday income.

Eric Cantona takes swipe at Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Cantona has hit out at Ratcliffe’s remarks, claiming he would not have joined United had the INEOS chief been at Old Trafford during his playing career. The 60-year-old helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side claim four league titles in five years before hanging up his boots in 1997. Yet when quizzed on whether he would sign for the club under Ratcliffe, Cantona responded: “No.”

Speaking to United fan Peter Boyle, Cantona said: “Of course not [he wouldn’t have signed]. You know what I think about all of this, with this kind of politics. And I cannot understand that someone like this can say something like this when he’s one of the owners of the club.”

He went on: “Football is a very popular sport. Football is made – all the greatest players come from different waves of immigration. Everywhere, in France, in England, everywhere.

“In France for instance, the greatest players in France, they all come from different waves of immigration. I made a documentary on that, French Football: An Immigrant History. Raymond Kopa, in the fifties, was the son of Polish immigrants who came to France, worked in France, and worked hard in France.

“And then the Italians, Italians like Platini. And then Spanish, like me, my mother came from Spanish refugees. I cannot accept this kind of thing.”