OVER the next five months, Sir Jim Ratcliffe will hope he can achieve a sporting Mission: Impossible.
No, not turn Manchester United around but make history by sealing America’s Cup glory with a British team.
Since the New York Yacht Club came to the Isle of Wight to snap up the first official cup in 1851, Britannia has never ruled the waves.
But four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, 47, has been tasked with changing that with a boat bankrolled by Sir Jim’s company Ineos.
Emirates Team New Zealand will defend the pot in Barcelona in October against a challenger that comes through qualifying competitions.
And according to Ainslie, United co-owner Ratcliffe, 71, has zero tolerance for “bulls**t”.
Ainslie said: “Jim absolutely fundamentally shares the vision. He shares that passion for sport.
“We have seen that with the other ventures that Ineos have gone into.
“This challenge, it’s one of the biggest you can take on, certainly in sport. A team like New Zealand, who are the holders, are really comparative to the All Blacks in terms of their history.
“Taking them on in the America’s Cup — I don’t think there are any other tougher challenges.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“Jim loves that, he shares that. He wants to get the job done.”
As for righting the ship at Old Trafford, Ainslie said: “Can Jim be successful at United? I think he will. He’s a very determined individual.
“It won’t happen overnight.”
Ainslie won the 2013 America’s Cup as a tactician with Oracle Team USA but this year’s target, which kick-starts in August, is personal.
The Cheshire-born sailor said: “It’s an obsession.
“Clearly the history, having never won it, that’s the big motivation for everyone in our team.
“It’s the only international major sporting trophy we have never won.
“In terms of our proud maritime and sporting heritage, we have got to tick that box.
“The country needs a bit of a perk! And why not the America’s Cup?
“On the back of England winning the Euros, of course.”
ERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.
5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023
The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.
4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023
It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.
3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022
Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.
2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024
The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.
1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023
Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years.
MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest deals and rumours from Old Trafford
