- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion investment could finally be confirmed next week
- He will face a difficult decision over the futures of Casemiro and Raphael Varane
- Nobody’s fooled by the nature of Man United’s performances this season – IAKO
Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces a crucial decision over the futures of Casemiro and Raphael Varane once he takes control of football operations at Manchester United.
Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion investment could finally be confirmed next week when the New York Stock Exchange reopens after the Thanksgiving break.
The Ineos billionaire and his sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford are expected to sit on a new football committee once Ratcliffe acquires a 25 per cent share of the club from the Glazer family.
United have already announced that chief executive Richard Arnold will leave before the end of the year, and football director John Murtough is also likely to go as Ratcliffe focuses on improving recruitment.
United paid Real Madrid a combined £112million for Casemiro and Varane, even though the pair were 30 and 28 respectively when they moved to Old Trafford on lucrative, long-term contracts.
Out-of-form Casemiro (L) and out-of-favour Raphael Varane (R) could be heading for an exit
The Brazilian midfielder has struggled to replicate the excellent start he enjoyed during his first campaign at Old Trafford, appearing short of form and fitness at the start of this season
Meanwhile, Varane has fallen down the pecking order under United manager Erik ten Hag (left)
Both were pivotal in Erik ten Hag’s impressive first season at the club but have struggled this term and approach the January transfer window with a question mark over their futures.
Casemiro looked short of form and fitness at the start of the season, and is out until after Christmas with a hamstring injury. The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January. Even if he stays, his future is likely to be up for discussion in the summer.
Varane, meanwhile, has fallen out of favour with Ten Hag such that their relationship has practically broken down. A frank exchange of views is believed to have taken place after Varane was dropped for the Manchester derby last month, and the…