Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial comment about immigrants has caused alarm among a section of the Manchester United dressing-room, Daily Mail Sport can reveal.
Ratcliffe apologised to anyone offended by his remark, which has brought widespread criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham to United supporters’ clubs and anti-racism charities.
United also issued a statement on Thursday expressing their pride in being an inclusive club with a ‘diverse group of players’, while pointedly making no reference to the embattled minority owner.
United have no fewer than 17 overseas players in their first-team squad.
The squad are currently enjoying a few days off following Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at West Ham, with a number of foreign players given the opportunity to return home because United are not involved in the FA Cup this weekend.
Sources close to some of the players said they were alarmed to hear Ratcliffe claim that the UK has been ‘colonised by immigrants’ when he gave a TV interview at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp on Wednesday.
Manchester United players have raised concerns over Sir Jim Racliffe’s claims that the UK has been ‘colonised by immigrants’
Ratcliffe (pictured) apologised to anyone offended by his remark, which was criticised by the Prime Minister among others
One insider warned it wouldn’t sit well within the dressing-room. Another put the controversy down to a 73-year-old who is out of touch, but said it has been noted by the players that Ratcliffe is unlikely to face the same action from the FA or the club as one of them if they made similar comments in public.
Ratcliffe’s remark has been condemned by the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, protest group The ’58, anti-racism charity Kick It Out and the Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club.
Interim head coach Michael Carrick was expected to address the matter with the club’s players, who each pay eye-watering levels of tax to the UK government.
While a private operator, Carrick is known as a man of principle, and any message was likely to be that the feeling behind Ratcliffe’s words is not echoed throughout United.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United’s statement was worked upon for hours and involved a delicate balancing act between all parties.
