INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe had all the answers when he assumed control of football operations at Manchester United in February 2024 after buying a 27.7% minority stake from the club's hugely unpopular owners, the Glazer family.

So before we can assess the state of the club today, as United sit in the Premier League relegation zone and with manager Michael Carrick set to remain in post despite just one league win all season, it is important to remember what Ratcliffe promised for the future -- and who he blamed for the past -- when he walked into Old Trafford less than three years ago.

Ratcliffe spoke about the "simple criteria" of "challenging for Premier League and Champions League titles" and honoring a "duty to those [supporters] who make the pilgrimage to Old Trafford."

United, Ratcliffe said , had to be "successful in winning," but he made it clear that it would take time and expertise to correct "12 years of stupid things" under the Glazers.

"The owners [Glazers] just managed the club and…