Manchester United could look quite different next season if Sir Jim Ratcliffe pulls the plug on Erik ten Hag’s short-lived rebuild at Old Trafford. The INEOS founder has a big decision to make once his £1.3billion deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in United is ratified in the New Year.
And he has reportedly already met Graham Potter ahead of his arrival, identifying the former Chelsea boss as his preferred candidate to replace Ten Hag should he sack him.
The 71-year-old would be keen to help fund Potter’s first transfer window in charge if he selects him as Ten Hag’s successor, despite United’s loss of income through their early Champions League exit.
Express Sport takes a look at how Potter could line up in the 2024/25 season if he’s appointed the sixth permanent United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson in the coming months.
Goalkeeper – Onana
Andre Onana was highly culpable for the Red Devils’ worst-ever Champions League campaign, producing a handful of blunders that cost his side eight points from winning positions.
As most new managers do, Potter could be tempted to sign his own goalkeeper. But given that Onana arrived for £47million last summer, his priorities would likely lie elsewhere.
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Defence – Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Martinez, Shaw
Raphael Varane is expected to leave Old Trafford next year – either in January or the summer transfer window.
It’ll call for a replacement, and Sir Jim could use his OGC Nice ties to provide Potter with one of Europe’s most highly-rated young centre-backs, Jean-Claire Todibo.
He would partner Lisandro Martinez, who is nearing a return from injury, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw in the full-back positions.
Potter could solve the uncertainty over Diogo Dalot and Wan-Bissaka’s status as first-choice right-back by pursuing his own, though.
Midfield – Fofana, Gallagher, Fernandes
Further midfield changes could be on the horizon at United, with Casemiro set to be the headline departure next year.
Donny van de Beek will likely leave in January, and Sofyan Amrabat hasn’t done enough to convince United to make his loan permanent at the end of the campaign.
Potter could reunite with Conor Gallagher at Old Trafford, with Chelsea reportedly considering cashing in on the 23-year-old.
And United could dip into the Ligue 1 market again by turning their interest in AS Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana into a concrete move. Bruno Fernandes would surely retain his position as club captain.
Attack – Mount, Rashford, Hojlund
Ten Hag’s exit would spell bad news for £86m signing Antony, who has failed to convince many since joining from Ajax last summer.
Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial should be among the exits next year, even if Ten Hag remains at the helm.
Potter would be reuniting with Mason Mount in M16 after their short-lived relationship at Chelsea, and he may suit a return to a wide position, considering his recent struggles in midfield.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho can continue to compete for the left-wing position, and supporting Rasmus Hojlund’s development would be an appealing proposition.
