A new era is underway at Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe means business.
The billionaire Ineos chief has been in the news on an almost daily basis since his £1.3billion investment in the club was confirmed on Christmas Eve.
Ratcliffe is now in charge of football operations at Old Trafford with the power to hire and fire, promising a major shake-up to end years of drift and decay under the Glazers.
This week, club staff were told Ratcliffe’s influence will extend into United’s commercial operations as well.
But as Erik ten Hag‘s side flounder on the field, it’s obvious a major squad overhaul should be the news owners’ top priority.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken up the reins at Manchester United following his £1.3billion buy-in
Erik ten Hag’s future as manager isn’t entirely secure but he can expect squad investment
There could be a very different complexion to United’s side next season after an overhaul
The current January transfer window was always going to be quiet as all Premier League clubs strain to stay within Financial Fair Play limits.
United may yet sign a back-up striker for Rasmus Hojlund in the final days of the window but most deals have been outgoings, with Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri loaned out.
The summer window promises to be more hectic and United certainly have plenty of deadwood they could move on to raise valuable funds for new recruits.
Antony
With Antony failing to provide a single goal or assist in 22 United outings this season, there must be a growing temptation among the new owners to cut losses.
Ten Hag pushed very hard to sign the £85.5m Brazilian winger from his old club Ajax in 2022 but Antony hasn’t come anywhere close to justifying that price tag.
The CIES Football Observatory still value Antony around the £51m mark. Many will see even that as optimistic given his often infuriating displays but United need to recoup something substantial if they write him off as a bad job.
Antony hasn’t come close to justifying his £83million price tag and United could cut losses
Diogo Dalot
Dalot has fallen back behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka this season in the duel to be United’s first choice right-back.
But it’s Wan-Bissaka who has been linked with the move away from Old Trafford with Saudi club Al-Nassr joining his old club Crystal Palace, West Ham and Inter Milan as reported suitors.
The feeling persists that United do…