Manchester United co-chairman Avie Glazer (left), alongside chief executive Omar Berrada at Wembley It was after question number three that Manchester United's media officer stepped into Marc Skinner's post-match press conference in the bowels of Wembley Stadium after his side's3-0 Women's FA Cup final defeat by Chelsea. "I don't think we need any more Jim questions. We are focusing on the match," they said. The issue was the absence of United's minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had been at Stamford Bridge to watch his men's sidelose to Chelsea in the Premier Leagueon Friday. Co-chairman Avie Glazer was at Wembley, sat alongside chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox and former chief executive David Gill. Yet Ratcliffe's absence felt important. He pulls the strings of those running the football operation. In terms of the women's team, it was more noticeable Ratcliffe was not there given 15 minutes after Millie Bright had lifted the trophy, Serena Williams was striding through the mixed zone towards the victors' dressing room. Williams did not look overly engaged when the TV cameras picked her out during the game. But her husband, Alexis Ohanian, was - given he has just made a£20m investment in the Chelsea women's team, a sum that secures him a stake in the club of between 8-10%. Quite naturally, Skinner was being asked why Ratcliffe was not there. As he kept saying, he did not know. In a sense, it is none of his business. It is quite likely Ruben Amorim would not be able to offer any clarity on the reasons for Ratcliffe not being at Old Trafford on any given matchday for the men's team. "In all honesty, I don't know why he wasn't here but we were well represented, with Omar [Berrada], the Glazer family and Jason was there as well," said Skinner. "They are the people I deal with every day. They need to look at what we have to do." This video can not be played Baltimore scores twice as Chelsea see off Man Utd to seal treble There is irritation among significant figures at Old Trafford why the focus remains around Ratcliffe and United, when the same does not apply to other big Premier League clubs and their owners when it comes to their presence at women's games. Skinner even managed a slight dig at the visible nature of the Chelsea hierarchy at Wembley. "Let's see how many times they fly over in the season for Chelsea," he said, before trying to steer the conversation back towards his own club, who he is contracted with until 2027. "The reality is that it is the investment in the team that needs to happen, not whether you are visible. Investment is a way of showing support, and we need to close that gap." Yet the situation is far from straightforward. While doubts persist over Ratcliffe's engagement, questions will remain over investment. In actuality, the path is already set as far as the women's side is concerned - and it is not focused on matching the growing resources Chelsea ploughed into making Sonia Bompastor's debut campaign at the club a domestic treble-winning one. United remain bruised at the criticism they received at the start of the season in the wake of the high-profile departures of England goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Nikita Parris, and so-called substandard training facilities. The club are spending hundreds of millions on a massive training ground upgrade - for both the men's and women's sides - they hope will be completed by August. That, they argue, will help get the most from the players they do have. Their aim is to recruit well - any mention of the word recruitment and Manchester United gets a raised eyebrow because of the issues on the men's side. Yet it is true whoever made the decision to let Earps go got it spot on, given her one-time deputy Phallon Tullis-Joyce has been excellent all season and was outstanding at Wembley, producing two brilliant first-half saves as United battled to keep their opponents at bay. "I have to find diamonds that can make us better," said Skinner. Sir Jim Ratcliffe (left) was in London two days earlier to see Manchester United's men's team face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge Yet is it realistic to fight with Chelsea? There was a lot of talk about the Champions League but United's path to the lucrative main draw is fraught with hazards for Skinner's side. Firstly, they must come through a semi-final and final just to make it through the second qualifying round. Inter Milan and Roma are big-name potential opponents - but Swedish side BK Hacken are also in the draw and reached the quarter-finals in 2023-24. If United make it through that, they would need to get past a heavyweight final-qualifying-round opponent that could include Paris FC, Real Madrid or Sporting Lisbon. United officials feel their club is growing. It is, after all, only seven years old. They were playing in their third FA Cup final in a row. There were huge numbers of genuine United fans in the 74,412 crowd. Attendances, those officials argue, at Leigh Sports Village are comparable to any top-flight club playing away from their main stadium. They hover about 4,500 on average. But they need more. At a club where the men's team will embark on a two-game post-season trip to Asia to generate more revenue, it is no surprise United's women will play in thecontroversial World Sevens tournamentin Portugal this month. All avenues will be explored to maximise available finance. Skinner is right. Ratcliffe's presence in itself will not push United's women's team forward, it is investment he needs. But 'the optics' are not great. And, as Bompastor explained some time after Skinner had spoken, it is not a negative having the ownership watching on. "It's a big lift," she said. "When we talk about having the right support from everyone in the club, it shows everyone is involved in the women's team. "It shows as a woman that you are in the right club. You really want to give that back on the pitch for all these people." United battled hard at Wembley. If they had taken chances at the start of each half there might have been a different outcome, even if they could hardly claim to deserve victory. But, as with so many big issues around the club at the moment, it all comes back to Ratcliffe in the end. Head here to get involved
Ratcliffe absence obscures the big issues at Man Utd
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Absence Raises Questions About Engagement with Manchester United Women's Team"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
The recent absence of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United's minority owner, during the Women's FA Cup final has sparked discussions regarding his engagement with the club's women's team. At Wembley, the focus shifted to co-chairman Avie Glazer and chief executive Omar Berrada, who were present, while Ratcliffe was reportedly attending a men's match at Stamford Bridge. This lack of presence raised eyebrows, particularly as the women's team faced criticism for their performance and for perceived shortcomings in investment compared to rivals like Chelsea. The post-match press conference led to questions about Ratcliffe's absence, which head coach Marc Skinner attempted to deflect, emphasizing that his dealings are mainly with the Glazer family and Berrada. He stressed the importance of investment in the team rather than mere visibility, pointing out that Chelsea's hierarchy was more present at the event, which he subtly noted as a disparity in support.
Despite the concerns regarding Ratcliffe's commitment, Manchester United's officials are optimistic about the growth of their women's team, which is only seven years old. They have reached their third consecutive FA Cup final, showcasing their potential despite the challenges they face, including recruitment struggles and competition from established teams like Chelsea. The club is investing heavily in upgrading training facilities, which they hope will improve performance on the pitch. However, the path to success in competitions like the Champions League remains daunting, with formidable opponents in the qualifying rounds. As the women's team seeks to close the gap with rivals, the emphasis on financial investment and the presence of ownership becomes crucial. While Skinner acknowledges that Ratcliffe's attendance alone will not drive success, the optics of ownership support are important for morale and perception within the club and among fans. Ultimately, the performance of the team and the strategic direction will hinge on the decisions made by Ratcliffe and the club's leadership moving forward.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The report sheds light on the absence of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a minority owner of Manchester United, during a crucial women's FA Cup final match. His absence appears to be significant, especially in the context of the ongoing scrutiny and challenges faced by the club's management. This situation raises important questions about the direction of the club and the involvement of its leadership.
Implications of Ratcliffe's Absence
The article emphasizes that Ratcliffe's absence from such a high-profile event could reflect deeper issues within Manchester United’s management. His role in the football operation is pivotal, and not being present during a key match could be interpreted as a lack of commitment or interest in the women's team. This perception can lead to dissatisfaction among fans and stakeholders regarding the club's governance.
Fan and Media Reaction
The media's focus on Ratcliffe's absence indicates an underlying tension among fans regarding the leadership and direction of the club. The mention of other prominent figures, such as Serena Williams, highlights a contrast in engagement from major stakeholders. This could create a narrative of neglect or disinterest in the women's team, which may not resonate well with supporters advocating for equal attention and investment in women's sports.
Potential Distractions
While the article discusses Ratcliffe's absence, it does not explore potential underlying issues within the club. This could suggest an attempt to divert attention from more pressing concerns, such as the performance of the men's team or management decisions that may be unpopular with fans. The framing of the narrative around Ratcliffe's absence could serve to obscure other significant challenges facing the club.
Trustworthiness and Objectivity
The article presents facts about Ratcliffe's absence and the responses from coach Marc Skinner, which lends a degree of credibility. However, the emphasis on the absence might imply a bias toward creating a sensational narrative about the club’s leadership. This could be interpreted as an attempt to manipulate public perception regarding the management's commitment to the women’s team and the overall direction of Manchester United.
Societal Impact
The implications of this narrative extend beyond the immediate context of the women's FA Cup. If fans perceive a lack of support for the women's team, it could affect attendance, sponsorship opportunities, and overall investment in women's sports within the club. Additionally, such narratives can influence broader discussions about gender equality in sports, potentially mobilizing public sentiment in favor of increased support for women's teams.
Conclusion
In summary, the article primarily aims to highlight the perceived neglect of the women’s team due to Ratcliffe's absence, which might be an effort to draw attention to broader issues within Manchester United. The framing could be seen as manipulative, as it does not address other pressing concerns within the club that may need equal scrutiny. Overall, while the reporting contains factual elements, the emphasis on Ratcliffe's absence suggests a narrative that could skew public perception regarding the club's priorities.