Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it abundantly clear that he will waste no time re-establishing the highest standards at Manchester United on and off the pitch. His ruthless rebuild as INEOS’ control bleeds through Old Trafford will extend into the summer transfer window, which could spell bad news for Erik ten Hag’s underperforming players.
United have undergone significant change since Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion investment for a 28 per cent stake and control of all football operations became official in February.
Omar Berrada has replaced Richard Arnold as chief executive, while John Murtough has also been among the high-profile departures, making way for incoming sporting director Dan Ashworth.
Jason Wilcox will arrive as technical director, and the appointments aren’t expected to stop there. In terms of further outgoings, Ten Hag’s future beyond an underwhelming second season is uncertain.
However, off-field movements are occurring with the primary purpose of forcing vast improvements on the pitch to return United to the world’s elite heavyweights.
And several players are set to be in the shop window this summer as Ratcliffe looks to purge mediocrity and fund much-needed upgrades at the start of his era.
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Antony, who has registered no goals and just one assist in the Premier League this season, is reportedly one of the players at risk.
According to Sportitalia, United want to offload the £86m flop this summer and recoup a chunk of the fee that made him the second most expensive player in the club’s history.
INEOS are also said to be keen to address the over-inflated wage bill they inherited, which will be helped by Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial’s likely exits as free agents in July.
The report adds that, as of yet, no suitors have emerged for Antony after two disappointing years at Old Trafford. United are said to hope that will change in the coming weeks.
Ratcliffe won’t stand for failure on the pitch or ill-discipline off it, based on recent reports of his reaction to Alejandro Garnacho liking social media criticism of Ten Hag.
The 19-year-old was seemingly unhappy with being hauled off at half-time in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at AFC Bournemouth, and his manager’s post-match comments explaining why.
HITC claim that Ratcliffe was aware of Garnacho’s behaviour, which left him “unamused”. He is said to have already backed Ten Hag over the Jadon Sancho fiasco and won’t stand for similar antics.
Garnacho has snatched Antony’s right-wing spot this season, though, starting his 30th consecutive game at the Vitality Stadium. Unlike the Brazilian, he is bound to be at the heart of INEOS’ project.
