Manchester United’s only six British players after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s migration rant | Football | Sport
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has caused a massive stir with his latest comments about immigration. The INEOS billionaire, who previously ditched the UK and changed his tax residence to Monaco, aired his thoughts on the state of modern Britain in a recent interview with Sky News. He claimed that immigrants had ‘colonised’ the UK while making a false claim about population size over the last six years.
Ratcliffe said: “The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.” However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that the population of the UK was 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024. The population figure was estimated at 58.9 million in 2000, well over two decades ago.
It’s also been reported that the FA are looking into whether the 73-year-old brought the game into disrepute, with the governing body said to be considering a formal investigation.
Given Ratcliffe’s recent comments about immigration, it’s interesting to note that United, the club he owns a minority stake in, barely have any English players on their books.
The club website lists just six members of the first-team squad who were born in England and aren’t currently out on loan. Tom Heaton, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are the players in question.
The remainder of the team is made up of non-Brits, while only four of the above English players were named in United’s matchday squad for Monday’s draw with West Ham United.
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Ratcliffe has faced further accusations of hypocrisy given his status as a resident of Monaco, a country he emigrated to himself after leaving the UK behind.
According to data from the 2024 census, the vast majority of Monaco’s population is made up of foreign nationals, with less than 25 per cent of the principality’s residents being born there.
The 1958, a prominent United supporters’ group, were highly critical of Ratcliffe’s decision to comment “on the issues of our country while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax”.
Ratcliffe has become a deeply divisive figure among United fans since he purchased a minority stake in the Red Devils at the end of 2023.
His cost-cutting mission at Old Trafford has resulted in a number of job losses, while certain staff privileges have been reduced or banned altogether.
