Sir Jim Ratcliffe has described his impending investment in Manchester United as the most exciting of his career as a successful businessman. But he will also know the tremendous task he has on his hands, and it didn’t take long for the poor United side of this season to leave him red-faced on Sunday.
It was fitting that, on his first game at Old Trafford since he agreed a £1.3billion deal for a 25 per cent stake, Ratcliffe watched a performance that summed up the club’s campaign.
Promising signs, good goals, then bam, bam, defensive errors, defeat. It was a draw on this occasion, but surrendering two leads, one of them within a minute of the second half, will always feel like a loss.
United have a fond history against Tottenham Hotspur, winning 96 of their 201 meetings compared to 54 defeats. They haven’t been beaten by Spurs at home with fans in the stadium since 2018.
Ratcliffe, a lifelong United supporter, will know that all too well. He will have seen many a victory over the Lilywhites.
That’s probably why, while addressing the media before kick-off on Sunday, he mentioned the hosts “normally do well against Spurs” with a confident look on his face.
But what followed was, despite leading twice, an underwhelming display of inferiority against a team that, like many, have been better this term.
Tottenham boasted 64 per cent possession and took 16 shots compared to United’s nine, with six of them on target.
Ange Postecoglou’s squad has been ravaged by injuries just as badly as Erik ten Hag’s, but the visitors had a clear identity and looked more comfortable than the hosts.
Spurs have avoided defeat against United for the first time since the 2013/14 season when wins were scarce under David Moyes.
Ratcliffe’s subtle jibe on Sunday afternoon may suggest he would’ve been slightly surprised to see how much work was required at Old Trafford.
