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A challenging week for Ratcliffe

Last week was rather tempestuous  for the sporting empire of Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Following a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton last weekend, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim labelled his team “the worst” in the club’s history and apparently damaged a television set in the dressing room.. United now sit 13th in the Premier League, closer to relegation than the Champions League.

Amorim’s appointment was a key moment in Ratcliffe’s stewardship of the club. Since buying a minority stake last year, the UK chemicals billionaire has overseen a mass clear out of senior executives and cut headcount by 250 people. This is now his operation, and things are not going to plan.

His sailing operation has also run into choppy waters. On Thursday, Ineos announced that its America's Cup team was parting ways with legendary British sailor Sir Ben Ainslie after failing to “find agreement on terms to move forward”. Ainslie responded soon after, saying he was “astounded” and threatened legal action.

Having built a sprawling sports business that also includes interests in Formula One, cycling and rugby, it looks like Ineos and Ratcliffe will be battling on several fronts in the coming weeks and months.

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