‘You can’t just turn it around’: Ratcliffe sympathises with ‘impatient’ United fans in rallying message

We can only speculate over what Sir Jim Ratcliffe took from Manchester United’s showing in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, as they certainly didn’t cover themselves in glory.

After completing the London marathon, he arrived at Wembley around half-time to watch the Reds take on Coventry City who, at the time, they were leading 2-0.

Nobody could’ve prepared him – or us – for what came in the later stages of the clash. Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 in the 58th minute with a clever finish, at that point, having all the United faithful ready to book their travel to London for next month’s final.

That was until the tide remarkably turned. Despite holding a three-goal advantage in the 71st minute, United went on to concede three goals before the referee could blow his whistle on regular time, forcing a further half-hour of action against the Championship outfit.

Late VAR drama in the dying embers of extra-time had Coventry’s supporters in hysterics before their side’s winner was controversially chalked off for offside, following which United were able to reign victorious in the penalty shootout.

Ratcliffe sat alongside Avram Glazer in the stands at Wembley, with ITV’s coverage regularly showing the pair in conversation as they attended a match together for the first time.

Ratcliffe’s pre-match message to supporters

Prior to the night’s unprecedented affairs, the new co-owner had sent a rallying message to the Old Trafford faithful.

“The fans are impatient, I have some sympathy with that. But it’s a journey, whether they like it or not, they have to be a bit patient,” Ratcliffe said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

“It’s not a light switch, you can’t just turn it around like that”.