Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the new co-owner of Manchester United, will oversee his first transfer window this summer. However, the British businessman has already faced a setback. As the CEO of INEOS, Ratcliffe has acquired a 25% stake in the Premier League giants and will be responsible for the club’s sporting operations. He has already begun making changes behind the scenes, appointing Omar Berrada as the new CEO and pursuing Dan Ashworth for the role of sporting director. Despite his ambitions to strengthen Erik ten Hag’s squad, Ratcliffe has encountered an obstacle. The Telegraph’s James Ducker reports that Manchester United’s transfer budget for this summer will be significantly limited due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, particularly if the club fails to qualify for the Champions League. Over the past three summer transfer windows, the club has spent £555 million without generating substantial revenue from player sales. This financial constraint will pose challenges for INEOS in the market.
Currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, Manchester United is three points behind fifth-placed Tottenham and five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. While there is still a chance for the Red Devils to secure a Champions League spot, their prospects may improve if the Premier League is granted an additional qualifying position. Ratcliffe is eager to demonstrate his vision for the club to the fans this summer. However, the FFP restrictions are likely to hinder his ambitions. If this limitation becomes a significant factor, it could result in another challenging season for Manchester United in 2024/25.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com