The 5 biggest moments from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first year at Man Utd | OneFootball

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in Manchester United was meant to signal the beginning of a new era for the fallen giants, but there have been few signs that the torture will end any time soon.

There have been a litany of errors both in the boardroom and on the pitch since the 72-year-old became a minority shareholder at Old Trafford on 20 February 2024, taking over sporting control, with much of the hope and good-will that surrounded his arrival having since evaporated.

The silver linings have been few and far between during his first year as co-owner and there promises to be tumultuous times ahead as the Red Devils desperately attempt to pull themselves out of crisis.

Here are United's most notable moments since Ratcliffe arrived at Old Trafford.

Relentless redundancies

There have been mass dismissals at Old Trafford / Robin Jones/GettyImages

Ratcliffe showed no interest in appeasing the masses with his first round of cost-cutting early in his reign. The founder of petrochemicals firm INEOS swiftly set about reducing the wage bill and made approximately 250 staff redundant after taking charge of day-to-day operations. He'd also insisted that a working from home culture had to end and every employee must be 100% office-based.

Ratcliffe later removed legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson as a paid ambassador, cancelled the club's staff Christmas party and denied employees free travel to last season's FA Cup final in other penny-pinching bids. Ticket prices have been raised too, with concessionary rates for all remaining tickets removed, as fans feel the impact of a merciless approach.

The argument behind such decisions was that money saved could be reinvested into the playing squad, with the club suggesting that the previous bout of redundancies would save £45m per year. Unsurprisingly, it was not a popular decision within the club or among supporters.

But the layoffs may not be done there. Recent reports have suggested that Ratcliffe could make up to another 200 employees redundant to prevent the club from "going bust".

If those cuts are made, more pressure and backlash will justifiably come Ratcliffe's way - especially considering that there are still a sea of underperforming players earning millions per season.

FA Cup triumph over Man City

Man Utd helped salvage some pride after a dismal season / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

United endured a hugely difficult 2023/24 campaign with mass uncertainty off the pitch and huge inconsistencies on it. However, there was a brief light at the end of the tunnel as the Red Devils conquered local rivals Manchester City to win an unexpected FA Cup crown.

Erik ten Hag's side had ridden their luck en route to the showpiece event, particularly in the semi-final when they surrendered a three-goal lead to Championship side Coventry City, before scraping through on penalties. But they would be the side celebrating in the capital come the end of May as two academy graduates fired them to shock glory.

Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo helped United conquer their fierce foes and see off a late rally, with bragging rights and world football's oldest cup returning to Old Trafford.

Replacing Erik ten Hag with Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim has struggled since arriving at Man Utd / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

Eyebrows were raised when United decided against sacking Erik ten Hag during the summer, with widespread reports suggesting that FA Cup success wouldn't be enough to keep the unpopular Dutchman in a job. He was even later handed a new contract as a show of faith.

Perhaps uninspired by prospective replacements, Ratcliffe decided against pulling the trigger at what appeared the ideal moment to shift gears, with the former Ajax manager still residing in the United dugout on the opening day of the Premier League season in mid-August.

Another divisive decision yielded more supporter frustration, with Ten Hag's side making an underwhelming start to the season. Eventually enough was enough and the guillotine dropped with United sitting 14th in the Premier League table and underachieving in Europe.

Ten Hag's sacking and the departure of his backroom staff cost the Red Devils £10.4m and the subsequent acquisition of Ruben Amorim and his team saw another £10.6m leave the club accounts, not to mention the money wasted on hiring and firing sporting director Dan Ashworth, rubbing salt into the wound when 250 ordinary people had just become unemployed.

While hailed as an astute call at the time, Amorim has not proven United's saviour - or even the captain capable of steadying the ship. Results and performances have regressed since the Portuguese signed and he is already being asked to compromise his principles and football philosophy in the pursuit of stability.

The Dan Ashworth debacle

Dan Ashworth lasted just five months as sporting director / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages

United jumped many a hoop to prise Dan Ashworth from Newcastle United last year. After being placed on gardening leave by the Magpies in February, he eventually started work as the Red Devils' new sporting director in July and quickly set about overseeing the summer transfer window.

A largely unconvincing few months of business followed, however, with Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte arriving for big money. None have hit the ground running at Old Trafford, one of the reasons behind Ashworth's sacking just five months after his initial appointment. He also favoured Gareth Southgate in the hunt for Ten Hag's successor, and was believed to have fallen out with Ratcliffe in what was a short and ultimately unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford.

The decision understandably mystified many corners and it's since been revealed that it cost United £4.1m to remove Ashworth from his post. The club's sporting director position is still vacant and there remains uncertainty over who, if anyone, will actually replace the 53-year-old.

A new low at Tottenham

Man Utd are currently stuck in 15th / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

There have been many moments described as the "new low" for United, who have consistently failed to deliver this season - and over the past 12 yeas. However, last Sunday's underwhelming 1-0 defeat at injury-stricken strugglers Tottenham Hotspur saw the Red Devils crash down to 15th.

Amorim's side lacked quality and authority in north London as they succumbed to a ninth loss in 21 games under their Portuguese coach. The result has left United closer to the Premier League relegation zone than the top six and eight points adrift of even mid-table obscurity.

Injuries are starting to pile up as well and things look unlikely to improve in the coming weeks and months, with FA Cup or Europa League glory all that can save a truly dismal campaign.