Ratcliffe eager for January signings at Man United – sources،
Sir Jim Ratcliffe hopes his investment in Manchester United will be confirmed before the January transfer window, but concerns remain over the funding available to strengthen the squad, sources have told ESPN.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS consortium are proposing an investment of £1.35 billion. [$1.643bn] agreement to buy a 25% share of the club and thus take control of the sporting aspect of the business.
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A source told ESPN that Ratcliffe was aware of the backlash from supporters as his deal would allow unpopular owners, the Glazer family, to stay and there is a feeling that a positive January transfer window would go some way to appease the fans.
But there are fears that Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions could make business difficult, particularly because there are currently no plans to clear the club’s debt. Paying off the debt – figures released in March showed United owed almost £1bn – would help increase the transfer budget but, as things stand, there is little room for maneuver afterwards having committed £178m to players ahead of the new season. .
United used their entire summer budget to bring in Rasmus Højlund, Mason Mount, André Onana, Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilón, Sofyan Amrabat and Jonny Evans. The financial margins are so narrow that Bayindir, Reguilón and Amrabat could only arrive after Dean Henderson’s permanent transfer to Crystal Palace was confirmed.
United and Greater Manchester police are preparing for fan protests at the next home match – against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on October 24 – following the announcement of Ratcliffe’s proposed minority investment and the The implication that this would lead to the Glazers remaining in the overall standings. control.
There are also growing concerns that high-profile home games due to be broadcast to a global audience could be targeted by disillusioned fans. United’s Premier League match with Liverpool was postponed to May 2021 after an anti-Glazer protest led to a group of supporters storming the pitch at Old Trafford.
The Manchester derby against neighbors and Premier League champions Manchester City – one of the biggest matches of the season – is set to take place at Old Trafford on October 29.
