Manchester United’s new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reluctantly admitted that he would prefer to see Mikel Arteta and Arsenal win the Premier League this year, rather than fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. The Brit sat down and discussed the state of play in England’s top flight, with the Red Devils’ aiming for a Champions League spot.
Ratcliffe and United are currently looking up at their rivals at the top of the table, where the INEOS chief wants United to be during his tenure at the club. However, for now, they are competing with the likes of Tottenham and Aston Villa for a place in next season’s Champions League.
The 71-year-old sat down with cycling legend Geraint Thomas on his podcast, when the question was posed to Ratcliffe over who he would like to see lift the title this season out of frontrunners Arsenal, Liverpool and City.
Immediately he showed his true colours by batting the question away after admitting that United were unlikely to usurp those at the top of the table. “I hate them all,” Ratcliffe replied. “Well you have got Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal. No, I don’t know. They are all the enemy. I couldn’t possibly choose.”
Thomas then claimed that he hoped Arsenal would lift the title after last season’s heartbreak, which led to Ratcliffe admitting that “it would be good” if the Gunners and Arteta celebrated as a reward for their patience with the Spanish boss.
“It would be good for Arteta I think,” Ratcliffe added. “It would be good for him. Because he has done really well and Arsenal have been patient with him, which is nice as well.”
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