Manchester United fans had a particular reason to celebrate last Christmas as they received a special gift on December 24, 2024. That was the date that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a minority stake in the club was confirmed.
More importantly to supporters, it marked the beginning of a new figurehead for United’s sporting operations, with INEOS taking over the running of that side of the club to allow majority owners the Glazer family to take a back seat.
As a boyhood fan from the Greater Manchester town of Oldham, Ratcliffe was seen by many as the right leader to restore the Red Devils to their position of pre-eminence in English and world football.
However, it’s not exactly been smooth sailing for the man who celebrated watching INEOS Britannia make history in the America’s Cup this year.
The Sporting News looks back at INEOS’ first full year holding the reins at Old Trafford.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Man United: 12 months in numbers
In a bid to sum up Ratcliffe and INEOS’ first year in charge of United, we’ve broken down some of the key details into 12 numbers — one for each month since the investment was announced.
We’re starting with the broadest figure and working our way towards the smallest. It’s just like a Christmas tree that’s been flipped upside down and left on show, which feels rather fitting given the chaotic goings-on at Old Trafford in the past year.
1.65 billion
The cost in U.S. dollars of the minority stake purchased by Ratcliffe and INEOS. The figure includes the recent additional $100 million invested by Ratcliffe to increase his stake in the club to $28.94 per cent.
571
The number of shots Manchester United have faced in Premier League games in the past 12 months. Only Wolves (578), Brentford (632) and West Ham (651) have faced more in that time. It’s hardly surprising that consistent results on the pitch have been hard to come by when the team is as leaky as the Old Trafford roof and press box.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 22, 2024
250
The approximate number of job cuts made by INEOS in the past year. Ratcliffe has set about reducing what he considers to be a bloated work force in order to cut costs and streamline the club’s operations, but such decisions have not exactly been popular.
92.5
The net spend in Pound Sterling on new players for the men’s first team. United spent close to £200m in the summer transfer window on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee, but they recouped a sizeable amount through selling a host of players including Mason Greenwood and Scott McTominay.
66
The new cost in £ for match tickets at Old Trafford following a mid-season price increase. United also scrapped concession prices for children and pensioners, leading to protests from fans. The club said the decision was one of several taken “to put us on a stronger financial footing”.
25
The number of wins from 53 games in all competitions by the men’s first team, giving them a win rate of 47.2 per cent. That figure is lower than that of each individual permanent United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
21.4
The cost in millions of £ of sacking manager Erik ten Hag and hiring his replacement, Ruben Amorim. United made the change following a 2-1 league defeat to West Ham on October 27, less than five months after speaking with potential new managers before deciding to stick with Ten Hag.
17
The number of set-piece goals (excluding penalties) conceded by United in the Premier League in the year 2024. That’s a record for the Red Devils in the competition.
11
The number of games across all competitions in which United have conceded three or more goals. Since the start of the 2023/24 season, they have let in at least three goals in 27 different matches, which is the most of any Premier League team. Yep, even them.
5
The number of months sporting director Dan Ashworth spent at the club. Coincidentally, it’s also the number of months Ashworth spent on gardening leave while the club battled Newcastle United over the legal issues regarding his move from St. James’ Park. Although the decision was officially a mutual one, the suggestion is that Ratcliffe — who branded Ashworth “10 out of 10” upon his arrival — was not the right fit.
2
The total trophies won by the senior men’s and women’s teams in the past 12 months. Ten Hag’s team beat Man City in the men’s FA Cup final, while Marc Skinner’s side thrashed Tottenham 4-0 in the women’s final. Both of those games took place in May.
-5
The change in United’s league position since Ratcliffe came on board. They were eighth in the table on December 24 last year, and they’re 13th in 2025. It means this season marks the first time in the Premier League era that the Red Devils are in the bottom half of the standings at Christmas.
