RATCLIFFE GETS REAL

We want to rival Madrid, but it will take us years'

- DAVID MCDONNELL

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE was refreshingly candid about how long it will take to make Manchester United competitive again and able to compete for the big prizes.

Ratcliffe, now in charge of football operations at United after spending £1.3billion to acquire a 28 percent stake in the club, reckons it will take at least three years to turn the team's fortunes around.

Last season was a nadir for United and their fans, with a lowest-ever Premier League finish of eighth and a meek group stage exit from the Champions League.

A miserable campaign did end on a high with victory over local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup, which clinched United a Europa