Sir Jim Ratcliffe proves he may have been jinxing Man Utd all along as Ineos chief misses rare win to watch Nice lose
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’s remarkable “reverse jinx” continued – after he chose to watch a vital Nice match rather than new club Manchester United.
United’s new minority owner has yet to see them win in 90 minutes.
AFPIneos CEO Jim Ratcliffe is shown with Nice president Jean-Pierre Riviere as their hopes of a Champions League spot ended with defeat at home to PSG[/caption]
ReutersRatcliffe missed Bruno Fernandes celebrating after setting up Rasmus Hojlund for a crucial late goal in Man Utd’s victory over Newcastle[/caption]
And while Erik ten Hag’s men were beating Newcastle 3-2 at Old Trafford, Nice’s hopes of qualifying for the champions League ended with a 2-1 home loss to Ligue 1 champions PSG.
Ineos supremo Ratcliffe is expected to launch a huge summer shake-up at United – on and off the pitch.
But if his dire record watching the Red Devils in person goes on much longer, he might have to make a tactical decision about his own presence!
Ratcliffe saw much-changed PSG pounce twice midway in the first half at Ineos-owned Nice.
In the absence of outgoing legend Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola hit the opener and supplied the second for Yora Zague.
Mohamed-Ali Cho cut the deficit to 2-1 before the break.
But although Nice pressed for a leveller, their hopes of a point faded and died after Melvin Bard saw red on 75 minutes.
Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund was ending his 10-game drought to strike late in United’s absorbing victory over Newcastle.
AlamyJim Ratcliffe has been deprived of seeing Man Utd win in 90 minutes[/caption]
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It means the Red Devils can finish no lower than eighth – and could nick seventh spot, as well as a place in the Europa Conference League, ahead of the Toon.
Ratcliffe was at Old Trafford for last Sunday’s much-criticised 1-0 defeat by Arsenal.
He reportedly arrived five hours before kick-off – which is about the length of time it might have taken United to score, so tame was their display.
It’s understood the 71-year-old was keen to see United’s match-day operations, with an eye on planned improvements.
But perhaps most of the changes needed were out on the pitch – although such a plight is something Ratcliffe might be getting used to.
Having first watched United in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham back in January, he’s still waiting for a “normal” victory.
The closest he came was the 3-3 FA Cup semi-final stalemate with Coventry – where United led 3-0 until the final 19 minutes.
The Red Devils then squeezed into the final against Manchester City with a 4-2 shootout win.
Given his incredible run of misfortune when attending United games, maybe he should be sent to Coventry rather than turn up for that Wembley showpiece on May 25!
