Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes Man Utd intentions clear as transfer plan takes shape
Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans to change the way Manchester United operate in the transfer market and, while he’s not formally in charge yet, he has already hinted at the new approach.
Ratcliffe is still awaiting formal ratification for his £1.3billion deal, which will see him buy 25 per cent of United. But the petrochemicals billionaire is already making his influence felt, with documents submitted recently in the US, where United is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, making it clear that every decision has to be run by Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues.
It had been hoped that the deal would go through earlier so that INEOS would have full control for the January transfer window. Nevertheless, the INEOS top brass, which is made up of Ratcliffe, director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford and chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc, are already making their presence felt.
According to the Evening Standard, Ratcliffe wants to make Crystal Palace star Michael Olise one of the first signings of the INEOS era at United. Olise fits the INEOS template as a supremely talented 22-year-old who already has a great deal of Premier League experience.
Ratcliffe has made it clear that he feels United have been making a mess of things in player recruitment over the past few years. He reportedly openly criticised the signing of Casemiro during a face-to-face meeting with United executives last year, while he said the signing of Fred was indicative of United investing “dumb money” in players.
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INEOS sat down with United’s former chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough during the early stages of the takeover process in March. He reportedly outlined his philosophy on player recruitment, which includes focusing on younger players who have potential to blossom and have resale value.
Michael Olise is a transfer target for Manchester United (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should INEOS be targeting for Manchester United? Comment below.
By contrast, Casemiro cost £60million to from Real Madrid in August 2022. United handed the Brazil international, who was 30 at the time, a four-year contract worth around £350,000-a-week, making him one of the highest earners at the club.
Ratcliffe may have grown up as a fan of United, but he will take a ruthless approach to improving their fortunes. Speaking to The Times in 2019, he slammed United’s recruitment record, saying: "[INEOS] never wants to be the dumb money in town, never, never. [United] haven't got the manager selection right, haven't bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred.
"We won't look elsewhere until we have had a good run here (at Nice). We need to find out how to be successful before you ever want to write a big cheque. It's quite difficult."
Erik ten Hag's side have scored just 22 goals in 20 Premier League games - only relegation-threatened Burnley and Sheffield United have scored fewer - and Ratcliffe is determined to turn around the team’s fortunes. As well as bringing in young, new players, Ratcliffe will also allow some of the higher-paid older players to leave in the coming transfer windows.
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