Sir Jim Ratcliffe is facing mounting criticism over his management of Manchester United, with supporters increasingly turning against the British billionaire following another disastrous start to the season.

Ratcliffe completed his £1.25 billion investment in February 2024, securing a 27.7% stake and control of football operations while the Glazer family retained majority ownership.

His arrival promised a new era at Old Trafford, but more than two years later, the optimism has largely disappeared.

Despite an extensive overhaul of the club’s football structure, United have struggled to deliver consistent results, while controversial cost-cutting measures, hundreds of redundancies and rising ticket prices have further damaged relations with supporters.

The anger has extended beyond performances, with fans staging protests against both Ratcliffe and the Glazers over their handling of the club.

Those frustrations reached boiling point during Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth, which extended Michael Carrick’s winless run to eight matches.

Supporters directed X-rated chants towards Ratcliffe and the Glazers, demanding they sell the club, while director of football Jason Wilcox also faced criticism.

United now sit 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone, despite Carrick guiding them to third place last season.

With recruitment decisions, managerial appointments and the club’s wider direction under scrutiny, Ratcliffe’s leadership is facing serious questions.

Now, another dispute involving his wider football operations has suffered a significant legal setback.

Major legal showdown looms for Sir Jim Ratcliffe

INEOS-owned OGC Nice remain locked in a legal battle with Marseille sporting director Gregory Lorenzi after attempts to resolve their contractual dispute collapsed.

According to Foot01, citing journalist Jean-Francois Peres, a conciliation hearing at a French employment tribunal on 9 October ended without an agreement between the two parties.

Nice launched legal proceedings against Lorenzi in July after he abandoned an agreement to become their sporting director and instead joined Marseille.

Club president Maurice Cohen had previously insisted that Nice needed to “make itself respected” following the contractual U-turn.

The dispute emerged during a major restructuring at Ratcliffe’s French club, which included the dismissal of sporting director Florian Maurice and the appointment of Roger Ricort to oversee recruitment.

However, the latest attempt to resolve the matter has failed, with the case now moving into its pre-trial preparation stage.

Both parties must exchange evidence and legal arguments ahead of a potential hearing, although a settlement remains possible before the trial.

No judgment date has been confirmed, but Lorenzi could face financial consequences if the court rules against him.

Reports suggest there is little prospect of him being forced to leave Marseille.

Although Ratcliffe is not personally a defendant, the continuing proceedings represent another unresolved issue within his football portfolio as pressure mounts over INEOS’ management of Manchester United.