Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes that it will take Manchester United five transfer windows to restore the club to its former glory. Those close to INEOS, the club’s owners, understand that a patient approach to recruitment is necessary. Ratcliffe is wasting no time in building a top-notch recruitment team, but it will take some time for the club’s financial strength and infrastructure to catch up with their ambitions.
Due to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations and the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability rules, Manchester United cannot embark on a major spending spree this summer. There may be some flexibility if the club secures Champions League qualification or generates around £100m from player sales. Currently, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is the only confirmed target for the summer transfer window, with the winger open to a move. The focus has been on positions rather than specific individuals, although INEOS is aware of other potential targets.
In addition to Olise, Manchester United also have their sights set on a striker and a centre-back. However, they will need to be creative in structuring deals in order to bring in three established players this summer. Alternatively, they may rely on selling players to fund their transfer activity.
Sir Dave Brailsford is conducting a strategic review that began last year and will continue for the first 6-8 weeks after completion. During this time, Brailsford, Ratcliffe, and Jean-Claude Blanc may need to consider a temporary leadership team while they wait for Dan Ashworth to start his role as well as CEO Omar Berrada, who is currently on gardening leave. Interim Patrick Stewart is playing a crucial role in the transition process.
Ashworth has already agreed to join Manchester United, and Newcastle have acknowledged his departure. However, the two clubs need to agree on a compensation package, with Newcastle pushing for £10m+ if Ashworth is to leave before completing 20 months of gardening leave. This situation is expected to be resolved quickly. Even if the gardening leave period is reduced to 12 months, Ashworth would still miss two transfer windows. Manchester United is prepared to wait until after this summer, or even longer if necessary, rather than overpaying.
Talks are also underway for Southampton’s Jason Wilcox to join Manchester United, and there will be at least two other senior executive hires in 2024. The approach to recruitment will be highly collaborative, with titles being less important than the overall dynamic. Ashworth emphasized during his interview that the average age of the squad needs to be reduced by 1.5 years.
Brailsford and Ratcliffe, to some extent, plan to be directly involved in ensuring that key players stay at the club and are appropriately rewarded. This could include offering a new contract to Kobbie Mainoo, despite him recently extending his current deal until 2027. Ratcliffe is determined to keep Marcus Rashford at the club, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain. There is also a strong desire to prevent PSG from signing Mary Earps, the England goalkeeper who has yet to agree on a new contract with Manchester United. The INEOS-led sporting department hopes to convince Earps to change her mind and remain with the club.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com