Don't say uncle's preaching! Sir Jim Ratcliffe advises the UK Prime Minister to be brave enough not to be loved, citing a good example from Manchester United.
On 12 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United in the English Premier League, faced heavy criticism after stating in an interview that "the United Kingdom has been taken over by immigrants," while criticizing the country's leaders as "too kind," unlike himself, who accepts being unpopular at Manchester United.
Sir Jim told reporters, "You cannot have a good economy if 9 million people are on welfare and a large number of immigrants keep coming in."
"I mean, the United Kingdom has been taken over. The costs are too high. The UK population was 58 million in 2020 and now has increased to 70 million—that's an increase of 12 million."
However, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates the UK population at mid-2025 to be 69.4 million, compared to 66.7 million at mid-2020.
The 73-year-old billionaire said, "Politicians must be prepared to be unpopular for a time in order to solve big problems."
Sir Jim restructured Manchester United after acquiring a 27.7% stake in 2024, laying off 450 employees, reorganizing management, and dismissing two team managers.
"If you do difficult things like we did at Manchester United, we believe it is right, but you will not be popular for a while."
"The country has the same problems. If you want to solve immigration issues or people choosing welfare over work, you have to do unpopular things and be brave."
Recently, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called on Sir Jim to apologize for his remarks insulting immigrants to the country, saying, "These are wrong and offensive words. The UK is a proud, inclusive, and diverse nation. Jim Ratcliffe should come forward and apologize."
Meanwhile, a Downing Street spokesperson also demanded an apology, stating that such remarks "play into the hands of those who want to sow division in our country."
The organization Show Racism the Red Card said football clubs should use their cultural influence to challenge racism, not to spread ideas that undermine social unity.
The 1958 Group fan organization stated these remarks are "highly inappropriate" and criticized Sir Jim for "commenting on the country while living in Monaco to avoid taxes, even though his company INEOS received £120 million in UK government support last year to protect workers from layoffs."