Sir Jim Ratcliffe is accused of running Man United like a ‘DICTATORSHIP’ after string of strict reforms – including ordering staff back into the office permanently

A former CEO of a Premier League club has claimed Sir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to run Manchester United like a dictatorship.

After months of speculation, United confirmed on Christmas Eve that Ratcliffe’s partial takeover of the club had been completed, with the 71-year-old subsequently taking over the club’s football operations.

Since taking the reins, the Ineos chairman has wasted little time in introducing reforms off the pitch, with some reportedly sowing division among the United staff.

One of the first major overhauls took place last month, with all United staff instructed to return to working from the office permanently, after the club had previously adopted a hybrid approach.

The latest development, exclusively revealed by Mail Sport earlier this week, saw staff banned from eating in the players’ canteen at Carrington training ground.

Keith Wyness insisted the head of Ineos would be wise not to run United as the company does

Wyness was previously CEO of both Everton and Aston Villa before leaving the latter in 2018

Speaking about the reforms, former Aston Villa and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness insisted Ratcliffe would be making a ‘mistake’ if he tried to run United like his business empire.

“Ratcliffe clearly doesn’t like what he sees,” Wyness told Football Insider. ‘I don’t know whether that is a knee-jerk reaction.

“But since he and his team got close to the building, he feels there is too much waste, too little commitment and not enough enthusiasm.

‘He could try to compare it with his INEOS business, which would be a mistake. Football clubs are much more organic than industrial companies – there are big differences.

‘Football is so dependent on people. Ratcliffe himself is very practical. To some extent we have gone back to the old-fashioned dictatorship style.

‘I was hoping he would be a little more enlightened. We may see some fresh ideas, but he has reverted to old-fashioned management principles.”