Sir Jim Ratcliffe labelled a ‘total embarrassment’ and ‘out of touch’ by Man United fans after part-owner claimed Britain has been ‘colonised’ by immigrants

Manchester United fans have led the condemnation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the club’s minority owner claimed the UK has been ‘colonised by immigrants’.

Protest group The ’58 branded Ratcliffe ‘a total embarrassment’ and disputed the 73-year-old’s claims that his unpopular decisions at Old Trafford are paying off.

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust also criticised the divisive nature of Ratcliffe’s comments, while anti-racism charity Kick It Out called them ‘disgraceful’.

The Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club accused Ratcliffe of fuelling far-right hate speech as well as risking ‘legitimising prejudice and deepening division’.

Speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, the Ineos billionaire told Sky News: ‘You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.

‘I mean, the UK has been colonized by immigrants, really, hasn’t it? It’s costing too much money.’

Ratcliffe suggested that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is too nice to address the tough issues and said he has met with Reform leader Nigel Farage, describing him as ‘an intelligent man’ with ‘good intentions’.

Starmer has called on Ratcliffe to apologise, describing his remarks as ‘offensive and wrong’, while Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester who has worked closely with the club over plans for a new stadium, said they are ‘inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory’.

Comparing the situation in the country to running United, Ratcliffe added: ‘I’ve seen quite a bit of this at the football club. If you do difficult things, which we felt that we had to do at Manchester United … we felt like they were the right things to do. But you do become very unpopular for a while.

‘I’ve been very unpopular at Manchester United because we’ve made lots of changes. But for the better, in my view – and I think we’re beginning to see some evidence in the football club that that’s beginning to pay off.

‘But you’ve got all the same issues with the country. If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, then you’re going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage.’

The ’58 issued a statement on Wednesday night, hitting out at Ratcliffe and challenging his view that he has improved the club with a restructure that has cost hundreds of jobs, changes to ticketing policy and plans to build a new £2billion stadium to replace Old Trafford.

They also criticised him for judging the state of the country while continuing to live tax-free in Monaco.

‘A very ill-advised statement from Sir Jim Ratcliffe today,’ said the group. ‘Once again a total embarrassment, whether in front of a camera or being interviewed.

The 73-year-old businessman had also stated that he is unsure whether Sir Keir Starmer, pictured in PMQs on Wednesday, is the right man to be Prime Minister

‘Commenting on the issues of our country while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax is bad enough. However, his comments on Manchester United are particularly worrying.

‘If his measure of improvement is hiring an interim manager after sacking their first choice because it was a bad decision to hire Ruben Amorim in the first place, then the jury is out.

‘Michael Carrick’s form is down to luck, not a measured long-term development strategy, and nothing this ownership can take any credit in. It’s clear the next manager will change the system again.

‘He mentions that he’s unpopular with fans and that is an understatement,’ added the group as they pointed to ‘increasing draconian measures for season-ticket holders just trying to attend a game and pass on a ticket to a friend or family’, ‘rising matchday ticket prices for members’, ‘pricing out the loyal fan’, and ‘forcing a new stadium that is clearly unwanted by the majority of match-going supporters’.

It concluded: ‘If he cannot see the reasons why he’s unpopular then he is completely deluded; completely out-of-touch with the core fanbase that made our club what it is today. This is a worrying statement in so many ways and for all match-going supporters.’

The 58′ stated that Man United’s upturn under Michael Carrick was down to luck rather than as the result of a long-term strategy thought out by Ratcliffe

A post on X by the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said: ‘Manchester United belongs to all of its supporters. No fan should feel excluded from following or supporting the club because of their race, religion, nationality or background. Comments from the club’s senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder.

‘This is not about politics; it is about ensuring that the custodians of Manchester United act in a way that unites supporters rather than marginalising any part of our fanbase.’

The Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club also issued a strongly-worded statement in which they raised concerns over Ratcliffe’s choice of language and his reference to Farage in particular.

It read: ‘We are deeply concerned by recent remarks describing the UK as having been ‘colonised’ by immigrants and by positive references to political figures whose rhetoric on immigration and minority communities has long been divisive.

‘The term ‘colonised’ is not neutral, it echoes language frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats.

‘Such rhetoric has real-world consequences. The UK has experienced sustained increases in hate crimes in recent years, including rises in Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racially motivated attacks and hostility towards migrants and people of colour.

The group blasted Ratcliffe as being out of touch with Manchester United’s fanbase

‘Public discourse shapes public behaviour. When influential figures adopt language that mirrors extremist talking points, it risks legitimising prejudice and deepening division.

‘Manchester United is a global club built on diversity – on players, staff and supporters from every background, faith and ethnicity. The strength of our club and of our country lies in that diversity.

‘Debate on immigration policy is legitimate. But it must be conducted responsibly, without language that alienates communities or reinforces narratives associated with intolerance.

‘We stand with all communities who reject racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, and we call for leadership that unites rather than divides.’

A statement from Kick It Out read: ‘Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together.

‘In addition to the inaccurate figures mentioned, it’s worth reminding him that Manchester United has a diverse fanbase and plays in a city whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants. This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.’