Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed a certain Manchester City performance blew him away last season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of 27.7 per cent of Manchester United’s shares was completed on Tuesday and his INEOS Group are now in charge of football operations at Old Trafford.
The 71-year-old has big ambitions with United but the club still has a long way to go before they reach Manchester City’s level.
Pep Guardiola guided his team to a remarkable treble last season as the Blues finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy.
They joined United as the only English teams to have won the treble following their triumph in 1999.
City destroyed Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg to make it to Istanbul, winning 4-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
Ratcliffe has admitted the performance blew him away and he wants United to be able to emulate that one day.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the Man City performance that blew him away
Speaking to the BBC, Ratcliffe said: “When Manchester City played Real Madrid at home in the second leg last season, that was the best football I’ve ever seen.
“That first 45 minutes where Real Madrid couldn’t get the ball was the best quality of football I’ve ever seen.
“If we can ever get to that point then that will be a great achievement for Manchester United.”
Man City are the benchmark now
What a remarkable turnaround in just over a decade. In 2013, United had just won their record 20th league title to put City back in their place after their first.
But, in the years since, United have gone into remarkable decline both on and off the field as they struggled without the immense presence of Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout.
Only now, 11 years later, is there any hope that things may finally improve now there are fresh faces in control of key areas.
City have won the Premier League six times since and they are the benchmark for United to reach.
It was obvious, but to hear United’s new co-owner admit it must feel fantastic.
