A body language expert has analysed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s interview. (Image: GETTY/THE OVERLAP)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed that he has serious doubts about and disagrees with some of the head coach’s high-profile decisions, according to a body language expert. On Monday, the United part-owner sat down for a lengthy interview with , who grilled him about different aspects of the club.
Sir Jim discussed a range of topics, including the tumultuous year since he purchased a stake and inherited control of football operations. The INEOS kingpin shed light on the club’s financial concerns and addressed the unpopular decisions he has made to improve the situation. He also admitted to and apologised for expensive mistakes, such as the hiring and firing of Dan Ashworth and delaying ‘s sacking.
Sir Jim praised the Dutchman’s successor, Amorim, despite United’s dismal position in 14th in the Premier League, having also exited both domestic cup competitions under his watch.
The 72-year-old pointed towards Amorim’s depleted squad, understanding his injury woes while incredibly insisting he was working with players who were “overpaid” and “not good enough”.
However, body language expert Darren Stanton believes Sir Jim acted like he didn’t believe his own words when backing the United boss.
“When Ratcliffe is talking about being a fan, he has another emotional shift because he then becomes a lot more animated,” Stanton told OLBG.
“If you notice his hands flail like he spreads his hands out, and that’s kind of like a dominance gesture, trying to demonstrate that he’s kind of in charge. But interestingly, again, when he speaks about , he is complimentary.
Ruben Amorim has endured a rough start at Man Utd. (Image: Getty)
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“There’s a gesture that he makes like a plane soaring, and he says obviously when they play their best, it is like they are in a cup final, and he makes some comments on Amorim.
“Here we see what we call a bilateral shoulder shake, which is basically a deceptive gesture. When a person does that, it tends to mean that I have no confidence in what I’ve just said.”
Stanton also doesn’t buy Sir Jim’s staunch defence of Amorim’s decision to exile Marcus Rashford for 12 matches before loaning him to Aston Villa in January.
He supported the Portuguese tactician’s efforts to remove any influence who wasn’t 100 per cent invested in his philosophy.
But Stanton saw what he considered proof that Sir Jim wasn’t best pleased about the decision to offload Rashford.
He added: “When he’s asked about Rashford, Sancho and Antony, he sits back in his chair, takes a deep breath, and that’s what we call distancing behaviour, I think, because he’s got to be seen to be loyal to Ruben’s decision-making process.
“But I don’t think he wholeheartedly agrees. I mean, he can’t openly disagree. When he takes a breath, that’s what people tend to do when they’re about to say something that’s controversial or potentially damaging.
“We like to physically distance ourselves, and we like to verbally distance ourselves too, in examples like Bill Clinton when he claimed he did not have relations with that woman.
“Clinton didn’t name Monica Lewinsky because to do so would humanise her, and that’s an extreme example to make a point.
“I don’t feel that Ratcliffe is entirely happy with some of these decisions, especially with Rashford, and again he verbally says one thing and non-verbally his body says the opposite.”