Former England legend Gary Lineker has criticized Manchester United's management under Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a podcast, calling him "not a pleasant individual."

There was initial optimism when the 73-year-old co-owner acquired a minority stake in the historic club in February 2024 and took over football operations.

However, sentiment has now seemingly deteriorated among some supporters due to poor results on the pitch and growing dissatisfaction with several decisions made under Ratcliffe's leadership.

"I watch Manchester United, and I see problems emanating from the top," Lineker said on the "The Rest is Football" podcast.

"I have to congratulate the Glazer family for finding someone even worse than them to be their scapegoat, and installing him there to take all the flak: Jim Ratcliffe."

"I think he's not a pleasant individual, and the way this football club is being run at the moment is a bit of a mess. The Glazer family have done a 'brilliant' job of shifting all the heat away from themselves!"

Since Ratcliffe took over football operations, Manchester United has parted ways with two permanent managers. Erik ten Hag was sacked in October 2024, just three months after signing a new contract, while his successor, Rúben Amorim, departed in January this year after 14 months in charge.

Michael Carrick performed well as interim manager and was subsequently appointed permanent manager in the summer. He led the team to 11 wins and 3 draws in 16 matches, helping them secure Champions League qualification, but the next transfer window proved disappointing.

United failed to sign Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes, and the team sits in 12th place heading into the international break, having collected just five points from their opening five league matches.

In recent days, academy prospect JJ Gabriel, dubbed the "magical Messi," has asked to leave the club after his family believes United has fallen behind elite European clubs.

The Daily Mail's sports section previously reported that sources close to the Gabriel family stated that United is "miles behind" Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, and they want him to "learn from the best" to maximize his potential.

Off the pitch, Ratcliffe has also faced criticism over mass redundancies, increased ticket prices, reallocation of season ticket seats to accommodate more hospitality spaces, and plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium.

Around the time of the Manchester Derby defeat in September, United supporters protested ownership, and following Ratcliffe's recent comments on immigration, fan groups have called for his resignation.

Lineker added: "The club is a bit of a mess. The stadium is crumbling, and there are various complaints."

"They're losing young players, and it looks like Gabriel's departure will happen too."

"Then there's the results, and the old problem of inconsistency seems to have returned. They've backed managers repeatedly, but it hasn't worked for them, even though the issues clearly permeate from top to bottom."

Previously, Ratcliffe stated that excessive criticism would drive him away from the club if he is "hounded" by supporters the way the Glazer family has been.

The unpopular Glazer family acquired the club through a leveraged buyout in 2005 and still hold a majority stake.

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