MUFC Needed A World-Class Training Facility – Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said that he is proud of Manchester United’s newly redeveloped training ground. He recently revealed that the building previously looked like a gloomy rabbit warren, and fans have been reacting.

According to him, Manchester United as a brand can rub shoulders with heavyweight companies like Coca-Cola and Apple, therefore owning a world-class training facility was needed to meet the club’s standards.

He stated that investing in the training facility was the first major decision he took when he arrived last year.

“This is one of the most recognised brands in the world, it stands shoulder to shoulder with Coca-Cola and Apple. The club has to compete at the highest level that is appropriate to the size and history of the club. While a world-class training facility won’t take us to that position alone, it is one of the key ingredients in the modern facility.

Now we have one. When I first came to Carrington two years ago, we had a presentation here. It was clear then. It is an excellent facility. It was (leading edge), I am sure in 2000, but 25 years later it wasn’t quite at the level it needed to be for one of the top four or five clubs in the world. It was the first big decision when we arrived in the first quarter of 2024, to invest in this training facility. There were lots of naysayers, who said that wouldn’t be done in 12 months, it will make the training facility, but I am pleased to say the project has come in on budget and on time,” he said.

Sir Jim further appreciated Omar Berrada, the team, Jason Wilcox, and Ruben Amorim for being very adaptable over the past year.

Ratcliffe concluded by saying he hopes the players enjoy their new home ahead of football matches.

“Thanks to Collette [Roche], Omar [Berrada], and the team. Thank you to Jason [Wilcox], Ruben [Amorim], and the technical staff for your many, many influences, which kept coming; eventually, I had to say stop. Thank you to Foster and Partners. Downstairs, there weren’t many windows on the ground floor. It felt like you were in a hospital in the basement. It was a slightly gloomy place, a gloomy rabbit warren. Now it is open, fresh, quite modern. It encourages interaction. That is what we needed.

Thanks to Ruben and the sports staff for being very adaptable over the last 12 months. Had to train in not the ideal situations, in a difficult year. Had to put up with the training facilities. Finally, to Ruben, Bruno [Fernandes], and the players, I hope you enjoy your new home, and I hope it takes Manchester United where Manchester United needs to go. We should all be very proud of this new facility,” he added.