Ratcliffe hatches Man Utd transfer plan amid tight finances as three stars eyed

06 February 2024 , 14:49

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is making his presence known at Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)

Manchester United will target players entering the final year of their contracts in the summer according to reports.

The Red Devils are aiming for a summer rebuild and have money to spend under new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe say EPSN. That comes after a winter window in which the Red Devils were unable to make any signings duo to pressure from the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

Erik ten Hag was not provided with the forward he hoped for in January following Anthony Martial's injury. The Frenchman was ruled out for 10 weeks after undergoing an operation and seems unlikely to feature prominently for the club again with his deal set to expire in June.

"It's not a secret that I wanted a striker extra," Ten Hag said. "Because with the injury of Martial, we don't really have back-up there, but it was not possible because we have to match the Financial Fair Play rules.

"We have Omari (Forson), we have Amad Diallo, of course, we have Rashford who can play there. I think for the rest, all the positions are occupied. But, yeah, we have to be a little bit creative if it's up to the number nine position."

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However, United are set to be active ahead of next season as Ratcliffe's £1.25bn purchase of a 25 per cent stake took another step forward, with his shares coming with enhanced voting powers. The vote was a necessary step before the completion of deal with Ratcliffe and Ineos.

Planning for the summer is already taken shape and though the club are looking to complete signings, the pursestrings could remain tight. That will see the 13-times Premier League champions target players with less than 12 months on their contract.

Much like Mason Mount became an attractive proposition last summer, the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan David and Kephren Thuram could tempt United.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 05: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Mason Mount of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on July 05, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

That trio all see their contracts end in 2025, with Kimmich already said to be drawing interest from Manchester City and Newcastle United. Alponse Davies is another star who could soon become available from Bayern Munich but is said to prefer a move to Real Madrid.

Scott Trotter