Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has defended his decision to move the women's team into portable buildings so that the men's team can use their training facilities. INEOS have committed to a £50million revamp of Carrington as part of their plan to put United on par with the Premier League's big hitters.
Work is already underway at the Red Devils' training complex, where women's first-team players are said to be 'disappointed' at being moved out of their £10m building, which they share with academy teams.
Ratcliffe and co. have received backlash for seemingly prioritising the needs of the men's team, but the petrochemicals billionaire insists the decision was 'pragmatic'.
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"The men's team make £800m," he explained in an interview with The Times. "The women's team cost £10m." An INEOS spokesperson added: "We’ve invested £10m in the women’s facility and they will be back as soon as the £50m revamp of Carrington is complete."
United Women are not only heading into the new season in unfamiliar training conditions, but also without one of their most recognisable faces in Mary Earps.
The Lionesses goalkeeper joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after allowing her United contract to run down. The Women's Super League season gets underway next month, with United hosting West Ham in their opening game.
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The men's team have already had a taste of competitive action in 2024/25, losing out to Manchester City on penalties in Saturday's Community Shield. Manager Erik ten Hag oversaw an encouraging display after finishing last season with his future hanging by a thread.
"Erik is a good guy and had been doing his best, but doing too much," Ratcliffe added. "He was trying to sort out the squad and fix leaks in the roof at the same time."
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INEOS have sought to give Ten Hag a helping hand by appointing a crack team of senior backroom figures including Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth, on whom Ratcliffe said: "We’ve got some very good people and some fresh faces. You can’t put your head in the sand, you have to face facts. It needed a fresh start, so that’s what we’ve done."
United will open the Premier League season on Friday evening, with Marco Silva's Fulham gearing up for a testing trip to Old Trafford.
