Sir Jim Ratcliffe sent X-rated Man Utd message after major 12-month failure

Whatever your take on the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one thing is for certain - Manchester United’s owners do not deserve Manchester United’s fans.

They do not deserve to have over 70,000 people loyally turning up to support their team every time there is a game at Old Trafford. They do not deserve the millions and millions around the globe that make United one of the biggest clubs in the world.

These fans are not unique in their commitment to their club, of course not, but they are a reminder of just how loyal followers of football clubs can be. What is especially noticeable is that, rightly, they feel compelled to make their deep dissatisfaction with the ownership brutally clear but always balance their protests with encouragement for a team that needs all the encouragement it can get.

And to call it deep dissatisfaction is an understatement. One of the opening chants on this tortuous FA Cup afternoon went like this: “Just like the Glazers, Jim Ratcliffe’s a ….”

You can fill in the blank. Fair play to Monaco Jim, to get himself bracketed with the Glazers after only 12 months of involvement is some going.

And on banners and in song, there were references to Ratcliffe upping ticket prices, even for kids. “£66, you’re taking the ****”

And they are absolutely spot-on. This game was worth £66 of no-one’s money.

People are being asked to pay top dollar to watch a bang-average set of players labour against whatever opposition rocks up at this dilapidated arena.

There may be plenty of tourists who want to tick a box but a lot of devoted fans are having to dig deep in tough times - and they know plenty of their cash goes towards the hefty Glazer dividends. But they continue to give an underperforming squad unrelenting backing.

Before Bruno Fernandes cancelled out Calvin Bassey’s first half header, it would have been easy for the home support to get restless. But - typified by the reception they gave to teenage striker Chido Obi - they stayed behind their team.

And a good few stayed around to sing Joshua Zirkzee’s name after he became the second United man to see his penalty saved in the shoot-out. Not for the first time this season, Zirkzee looked close to tears … but the real crying shame is what the owners are putting the fans through.