Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced a huge task since taking charge of operations at Manchester United.
His arrival was seen as the beginning of a new era.
Yet the early era of his reign have been dominated by difficult and often unpopular decisions.
Ratcliffe quickly implemented a cost-cutting regime across Old Trafford, leading to job losses, reduced spending and tighter financial controls.
While also making the bold decision to raise ticket prices.
Even with a transfer strategy now geared toward signing younger, hungrier players at lower fees, fans remain sceptical, questioning whether the ruthless approach will deliver the revival they crave.
The situation comes as INEOS, his wider business empire, shows signs of retreating from several areas.
Just last week, it emerged Ratcliffe is counter-suing Tottenham Hotspur in an ongoing legal dispute over a sponsorship deal for his Grenadier 4×4.
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And now, according to The Telegraph, Ratcliffe has sold his luxury leather jacket brand Belstaff in another strategic withdrawal.
The motorcycle fashion group has been offloaded to Castore, the sportswear company that supplies England’s cricket and rugby teams.
INEOS are retaining only a minority stake.
Belstaff, which Ratcliffe purchased in 2017 with the aim of restoring its British heritage, has endured years of financial struggles under INEOS, reporting an £18m loss in 2023 after sales fell 4%.
Keeping the brand afloat has required significant cash injections from Ratcliffe, who auditors said would need to continue supporting it for survival.
The sale adds to growing concerns over the future of his other non-core ventures, particularly the Grenadier car project, which has already cost more than £1.4bn and faced multiple setbacks.
For United supporters, the news will only fuel further doubts over whether Ratcliffe’s juggling of INEOS, football and business interests can truly steady the ship at Old Trafford in the long-term.
