![Ineos seem to be treating ETH as a consolation prize as goodwill dwindles](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583575155/1718152010/articles/sMMhlzdRn1718169427044/INEOS-SEEM-TO-BE-TREATING-ETH-AS-A-CONSOLATION-PRIZE-AS-GOODWILL-DWINDLES.jpg)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made enough positive steps since taking charge of football operations at United that his botched handling of Erik ten Hag's future can just about be overlooked.
But make no mistake, this has been a desperate couple of weeks for the new footballing figureheads at Old Trafford. In just over three months Ratcliffe has brought ambition and clarity to a club that was losing its way, but the goodwill generated is in danger of being squandered.
You dread to think what the reaction would be if it was the Glazers overseeing an end-of-season process that is becoming as messy and protracted as this one at United.
There would be a justified outcry from supporters, particularly given the man being shown the least respect of all is somebody those fans have a strong bond with.
It should be said that what Ineos are doing comes from a position of wanting what is best for the club. 'Walk towards the right decision rather than run to the wrong one, as the maxim of Ratcliffe makes clear.
The problem is they are only leaving themselves with one possible decision.
This story is from the June 12, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 12, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Stabbed driver begged for help'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1753088/a-sVcyF481719979355495/STABBED-DRIVER-BEGGED-FOR-HELP.jpg)
Stabbed driver begged for help'
MURDER TRIAL TOLD OF LAST MOMENTS OF VICTIM
!['He was a lovely neighbour, he did not deserve this'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1753088/GZ0Cuw2M71719979277400/HE-WAS-A-LOVELY-NEIGHBOUR-HE-DID-NOT-DESERVE-THIS.jpg)
'He was a lovely neighbour, he did not deserve this'
A MAN at the centre of a murder investigation has been named.
![Ship Canal wins right to challenge sewage spills](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1753088/9ghdkjT541719979138425/SHIP-CANAL-WINS-RIGHT-TO-CHALLENGE-SEWAGE-SPILLS.jpg)
Ship Canal wins right to challenge sewage spills
RULING COULD BE LEGAL LANDMARK IAS CONCERN GROWS OVER WATER COMPANIES' DISCHARGES
![Emmerdale tribute to Steve and Zak](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1753088/huLGEM9Kx1719979053906/EMMERDALE-TRIBUTE-TO-STEVE-AND-ZAK.jpg)
Emmerdale tribute to Steve and Zak
EMMERDALE character Zak Dingle will die off-screen in an upcoming episode following the death of the actor who played him.
![Police discover XL Bullies in raid on farm](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1753088/YUz6k8wQw1719978950700/POLICE-DISCOVER-XL-BULLIES-IN-RAID-ON-FARM.jpg)
Police discover XL Bullies in raid on farm
MAN ARRESTED OVER SUSPECTED BREEDING AND TRAINING OF BANNED DOGS AFTER COPS SWOOP
!['Green belt homes must be priced affordably'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1751991/qKjlKt76I1719902600780/GREEN-BELT-HOMES-MUST-BE-PRICED-AFFORDABLY.jpg)
'Green belt homes must be priced affordably'
LABOUR'S candidate in Worsley and Eccles has said it is wrong to use the green belt to build 'luxury' homes.
![Stones It's time to take handbrake off](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1751991/2pwXvfdnS1719902315575/STONES-ITS-TIME-TO-TAKE-HANDBRAKE-OFF.jpg)
Stones It's time to take handbrake off
JOHN Stones insists England are ready to take the handbrake off after their 'fight and desire' saw them come from behind to dramatically beat Slovakia in extra-time and reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
![UNITED MAKE CRUCIAL SIGNING AHEAD OF HUGE SUMMER WINDOW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1751991/n5W4Uvtdi1719902011493/UNITED-MAKE-CRUCIAL-SIGNING-AHEAD-OF-HUGE-SUMMER-WINDOW.jpg)
UNITED MAKE CRUCIAL SIGNING AHEAD OF HUGE SUMMER WINDOW
UNITED are set to have sporting director Dan Ashworth in place for this transfer window after a breakthrough in talks with Newcastle.
![Midfield maestro confirms he'll head back to City for talks after Euros](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1751991/GEcMSaTzg1719901774798/MIDFIELD-MAESTRO-CONFIRMS-HELL-HEAD-BACK-TO-CITY-FOR-TALKS-AFTER-EUROS.jpg)
Midfield maestro confirms he'll head back to City for talks after Euros
KEVIN De Bruyne says he will return to City after the European Championships - backtracking a little on recent comments admitting he would be open to a move to Saudi Arabia.
![Target's agent is talking up rivals!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21089/1751991/O3ri8QV2Q1719901640015/TARGETS-AGENT-IS-TALKING-UP-RIVALS.jpg)
Target's agent is talking up rivals!
UNITED'S efforts to secure the signature of the much sought-after Uruguayan star Manuel Ugarte have been complicated by his agent's latest comments.