By Kasra Moradi,Neil Docking
Copyright dailystar
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is gearing up for a meeting with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as he questioned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ‘s leadership. The 72-year-old businessman, who has held a minority stake in the Premier League giants since February 2024, has announced his intention to meet the leader of the right wing party before December. During an explosive interview with The Times and Sunday Times’ The Business podcast , Ratcliffe said: “I’m meeting with Nigel Farage before Christmas . He asked for the meeting. I have met with [Conservative leader] Kemi Badenoch , so we have had a hearing.” When probed about potentially donating funds to Reform or any other political party, the English billionaire argued he was neutral on politics, stating: “I’ve always been neutral on political parties. I’ve never really had a preference one way or another. I just want one that runs the country well. I can’t see myself paying for policies. It’s not my style.” However, he then questioned Starmer’s leadership of Labour . Ratcliffe, who ranked seventh on this year’s list of the UK’s wealthiest individuals, said: “I think he is a reasonable bloke. He’s a nice man and he’s well-meaning, but I’m just not sure it’s easy to manage his party.” He added: “This is not a criticism, because I do like him, but you have to make some tough decisions, and maybe he’s a bit too nice.” Ratcliffe, who also owns French football club Nice, is known for founding and owning the majority stake in petrochemical behemoth Ineos. He has seen a disastrous period on the pitch for the fallen Premier League giants under former manager Erik ten Hag and now struggling boss Ruben Amorim. His confirmation of plans to meet Farage follow United icon Gary Neville ‘s remarks about “angry middle-aged white men” who he said were fuelling division across the nation through displays of St George’s crosses and Union Jack flags, reports the Mirror . The Sky Sports pundit, who has previously engaged with Ratcliffe on matters relating to United and Manchester, has faced backlash over his observations, with critics branding them unpatriotic – though the 85-cap former England defender maintained: “I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country”. Farage is renowned for championing flags being displayed “across the country”, nearly as much as his immigration proposals – which critics have dubbed “a manifesto of hate”. His encounter with Ratcliffe may leave Neville unimpressed. The former England defender had said: “Seeing the news last night and the news this morning dominated by the horrific attacks within the Jewish community just a mile from here. “When I was driving to Salford City last night, going down Littleton Road, seeing probably 50 or 60 Union Jack flags. And on the way back I went down the parallel road, Bury New Road, which has got the Jewish community right at its heart, and they’re out on the streets, defiant, not hiding or in fear. “And I just kept thinking as I was driving home last night that we’re all being turned on each other and the division that’s being created is absolutely disgusting. Mainly created by angry middle-aged white men who know exactly what they’re doing.” Neville continued: “The Union Jack flag used in a negative fashion is not right and I’m a proud supporter of England, of Great Britain, of our country and will champion it anywhere in the world as one of the greatest places to live.” Farage hit back at Neville, branding him “detached from reality” over his remarks.