Manchester United fans are up in arms after co-owner Jim Ratcliffe's superyacht, valued at £75 million, was seen in Portsmouth at a time when the club is making significant budget cuts.
The yacht, named Sherpa, was constructed by the Dutch shipyard Feadship and delivered to Ratcliffe in 2018. Spanning approximately 73.6 metres, it accommodates up to 13 guests with a crew of over 20, boasting features like a beach club, underwater lighting, and a large reserve of fresh water.
The luxurious vessel stands in stark contrast to the club's current financial situation. Following Ratcliffe's minority stake acquisition through INEOS, the club has been pursuing large-scale cost reductions, prompting a wave of criticism from supporters:
One fan took to social media to question:
Why can’t he sell the yacht and reinvest the money into Manchester United?
Another remarked:
United are cutting costs everywhere while the owner has a yacht worth £75 million. It’s no wonder fans are frustrated.
A further comment suggested:
If the club is so desperate for cash, selling something like this would make a lot more sense than laying off staff.
It's worth noting that the yacht is Ratcliffe's personal property and his finances are not directly linked to the club’s budget. Additionally, he owns an even more expensive vessel, Hampshire II, valued at around £120 million, complete with a helipad that can be converted into a sports area. Nonetheless, amid the club's internal cutbacks, the sight of the yacht in port has sparked a fresh wave of irritation among fans.
