TA: Manchester United CEO Sets Club Target to Regain Premier League Title by 2028

According to The Athletic (TA), Manchester United CEO Omar Bellarda recently announced an ambitious goal within the club – to win the Premier League title by 2028, which marks the club’s 150th anniversary. This target covers both the men’s and women’s teams, aiming to celebrate this significant milestone.

Bellarda announced this news to hundreds of Manchester United staff at a crucial meeting held at Old Trafford last week. He passionately introduced the “150 Plan,” which aims to celebrate the club’s history by enhancing competitive performance. However, staff reactions were mixed. Some welcomed the club’s renewed focus on sporting achievements rather than commercial interests; others remained dispirited due to recent mass layoffs.

While the layoffs have been controversial, the club’s leadership insists they are necessary cost-control measures to ensure Manchester United can regain its glory in the future.

Ratcliffe stated clearly in February this year: “This is not a ten-year plan. Our fans wouldn’t want to wait that long. It’s a three-year plan. While we cannot expect to reach the levels of Manchester City or Real Madrid in just one season, we are confident in our gradual improvement, with the ultimate aim of competing for titles in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. I believe that if Manchester United stays on the right path, we will be in a very favorable position by the time the club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2028.”

Bellarda reiterated the determination to win the Premier League title by 2028, acknowledging the challenging nature of this goal but sharing Ratcliffe’s belief in the club’s ability to achieve it. Bellarda joined Manchester United from Manchester City in June this year, bringing new perspectives and energy to the club.

However, Manchester United’s current performance leaves much to be desired. In the 2024/25 Premier League season, Manchester United sits only in eleventh place, having collected just seven points from their first five matches. Additionally, Ten Hag’s team drew 1-1 with Twente in the Europa League and followed that with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace over the weekend, failing to secure a win in two consecutive games. Considering the nearly £200 million spent in the summer to bring in strong reinforcements like Golo, Ugarte, De Ligt, Zirkzee, and Mazraoui, such results are far from satisfactory.

To achieve the grand goal set for 2028, Manchester United must decide whether to give Ten Hag sufficient time and support or seek a new manager. Each step, whether continuing to trust Ten Hag or changing managers, will have profound implications for the club’s future.