Scholes outlines Ratcliffe fear

Paul Scholes has questioned just how much power Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have as he “finds it difficult to believe” the Glazers will take a back seat at Manchester United.

The British billionaire is poised to complete his minority takeover at Old Trafford, which will see him take a 25 percent stake in the Premier League club. Already Ratcliffe is making plans for his arrival as he looks to oversee control of the football operations.

United have underwhelmed for a decade and there is a sense that the Glazers’ absence suggests they are far from hands on with the day-to-day dealings at the club. But Scholes struggles to accept that the Americans will retain their majority stake yet let Ratcliffe make the big calls.

ICYMI: Jean-Claude Blanc profile

Manchester United’s hierarchy looks set to undergo major changes with the appointment of a new chief executive – and that could be in the form of Jean-Claude Blanc.

The Red Devils are currently in the process of selling a 25 percent stake in the club to Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The British billionaire is set to invest £1.3 billion in exchange for the minority stake in the Premier League giants that will also see him oversee the football operations side of the club.

News emerged on Wednesday that Richard Arnold will leave his role as CEO of United, with Patrick Stewart is set to take over in interim charge until a permanent replacement is appointed. The update came amid increasing rumours that Ratcliffe will make ruthless hierarchy changes at Old Trafford.

Van de Beek features in secret friendly

Donny van de Beek was part of a Manchester United XI that played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship outfit Hull City on Tuesday.

The Dutch midfielder, 26, is out of favour at Old Trafford and has played just two minutes in the Premier League this season. Van de Beek featured alongside Antony and Hannibal Mejbri in the match against the Tigers, which ended in a 1-1 draw, according to The Manchester Evening News.

While Van de Beek seemingly has no part in Erik ten Hag’s plans, the former Ajax maestro was out of favour long before the Dutchman arrived in Manchester. Since joining the club in 2020, Van de Beek has made just six league starts after failing to impress the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick and is expected to leave United in the New Year.

Donny van de Beek (

Image:

Joe Prior/Visionhaus)

ICYMI: Ratcliffe set for Ferguson talks

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to sound out Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson for guidance amid his search for a new sporting director.

The Ineos chief, 71, will assume control of sporting operations at Old Trafford once his £1.3billion deal for a 25 percent minority stake in the club is ratified in the coming days and is expected to implement sweeping changes behind the scenes.

Chief executive Richard Arnold has already announced he will be leaving his post in December and it’s highly likely other executives will follow him out the door. Ratcliffe also has designs on overhauling United’s recruitment strategy and is planning to install a new sporting director to mark the start of a new era at the club.

Freedman’s top signings

Manchester United are planning to secure the services of Dougie Freedman as their new sporting director from Crystal Palace when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed deal goes through.

INEOS chairman Ratcliffe is set to confirm his 25 per cent stake in United before the end of the month, a year since the Glazers put the club up for sale. Ratcliffe will spend around £1.3bilion on acquiring a minority shareholding in the Red Devils, and his first move has been to axe chief executive Richard Arnold.

Patrick Stewart has replaced Arnold on an interim basis and Ratcliffe is expected to undergo a major transformation of footballing operations in the board room.

According to The Sun, Freedman could then become United’s new sporting director – so we run the rule over his work in the transfer market.

ICYMI: Woodward takes new role

Ed Woodward has found himself a new gig in artificial intelligence, as Manchester United, once again, begin the search for the person to fill the role he vacated.

Woodward has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor and Non-Executive Board Member for AI company SentientSports.

Jean-Claude Blanc profile

Manchester United’s hierarchy looks set to undergo major changes with the appointment of a new chief executive – and that could be in the form of Jean-Claude Blanc.

The Red Devils are currently in the process of selling a 25 percent stake in the club to Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The British billionaire is set to invest £1.3 billion in exchange for the minority stake in the Premier League giants that will also see him oversee the football operations side of the club.

News emerged on Wednesday that Richard Arnold will leave his role as CEO of United, with Patrick Stewart is set to take over in interim charge until a permanent replacement is appointed. The update came amid increasing rumours that Ratcliffe will make ruthless hierarchy changes at Old Trafford.

ICYMI: Ratcliffe plans Ferguson talks

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to sound out Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson for guidance amid his search for a new sporting director.

The Ineos chief, 71, will assume control of sporting operations at Old Trafford once his £1.3billion deal for a 25 percent minority stake in the club is ratified in the coming days and is expected to implement sweeping changes behind the scenes.

Chief executive Richard Arnold has already announced he will be leaving his post in December and it’s highly likely other executives will follow him out the door. Ratcliffe also has designs on overhauling United’s recruitment strategy and is planning to install a new sporting director to mark the start of a new era at the club.

Ratcliffe transfer plan goes wrong

Casemiro is NOT interested in leaving Manchester United in January – despite interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr.

The Brazil international, 31, joined United from Real Madrid in August 2022 and made an instant impact, helping Erik ten Hag’s side win the Carabao Cup, reach the FA Cup final and qualify for the Champions League. Yet he’s struggled for form and fitness this season.

It’s believed Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is on the verge of buying a 25 per cent stake in United and taking charge of football operations, disapproved of the club’s decision to spend £70million on Casemiro 15 months ago. He’s happy to let the player move on.

Ferguson’s feelings on Ten Hag emerge

Sir Alex Ferguson will back Erik ten Hag when he is sounded out for guidance by prospective Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the coming weeks.

Ratcliffe, 71, is expected to acquire a minority stake in his boyhood club imminently and will assume control of sporting operations at Old Trafford once his £1.3billion proposal is ratified. The deal, which is for a 25 per cent stake of the club, is the culmination of a taxing process which started last November when the Glazer family announced they were seeking “strategic alternatives”.

The Ineos chief has plans to overhaul the club’s footballing operations but Ten Hag’s position is believed to be safe – even though he has overseen the club’s worst start to a season since 1962.

United eye Fofana

Manchester United are reportedly attempting to beat Juventus to the signing of Youssouf Fofana.

That is according to RMC Sport, who suggest that the Red Devils are ‘closely monitoring’ his performances, while PSG are also interested.

His contract with Monaco runs until the summer of 2025.

Man Utd in transfer setback

Bayern Munich are ready to return for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha – which could have knock-on effects for Manchester United.

The Portugal midfielder has been a big hit at Craven Cottage and attracted attention from some of Europe’s heavyweights back in the summer. Bayern backed up their interest with a bid and Palhinha was negotiating with the German giants late on deadline day.

Eventually, though time ran out with Fulham conscious that they couldn’t get a replacement in time. One man on their radar was Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, as per Sky Sports, who at that point didn’t look to feature in Erik ten Hag’s plans with minutes at a premium.

Ferguson’s new business venture

Manchester United legend and avid horse racing fan Sir Alex Ferguson has started a brand new business venture after setting up his own stud.

The 81-year-old, who enjoyed an iconic 26-year reign at Old Trafford before calling quits on his managerial career in 2013, already owns 32 race horses and has long been a regular at race meets up and down the country. He previously had a hat-trick of wins at the Aintree Grand National when three of his runners won on at famous Merseyside venue.

Ratcliffe set for Ferguson talks

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to sound out Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson for guidance amid his search for a new sporting director.

The Ineos chief, 71, will assume control of sporting operations at Old Trafford once his £1.3billion deal for a 25 percent minority stake in the club is ratified in the coming days and is expected to implement sweeping changes behind the scenes.

Chief executive Richard Arnold has already announced he will be leaving his post in December and it’s highly likely other executives will follow him out the door. Ratcliffe also has designs on overhauling United’s recruitment strategy and is planning to install a new sporting director to mark the start of a new era at the club.

Murtough set for Man Utd exit

BY DAVID MCDONNELL

John Murtough is set to follow Richard Arnold out of Manchester United as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford revolution.

Chief executive Arnold was axed by Ratcliffe, who is set to own 25 percent of United once his £1.3billion purchase is ratified by the club’s board.

Football director Murtough looks set to be the next high-profile casualty at United, with Ratcliffe having decided to get ruthless with the club’s under-performing hierarchy. INEOS chief Ratcliffe is undertaking a complete overhaul of the football side at United, focusing in particular on the club’s poor recruitment in the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down

Woodward’s new role revealed

Ed Woodward has found himself a new gig in artificial intelligence, as Manchester United, once again, begin the search for the person to fill the role he vacated.

Woodward has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor and Non-Executive Board Member for AI company SentientSports.

ICYMI: Ratcliffe makes his mark

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is yet to get through the door at Manchester United, but the shockwaves of his arrival are already being felt.

Ratcliffe is still waiting for his £1.3billion offer for 25 per cent of the club to be ratified almost a year on from the Glazer family’s statement announcing their intention to “explore strategic alternatives” for the club. Nevertheless, the wheels are already in motion behind the scenes at Old Trafford and Carrington, with important decisions being made in anticipation of the deal, which will give him sporting control of the club, being made official.

Richard Arnold jumped before he was pushed, announcing on Wednesday that he is stepping down from his role as chief executive. Ratcliffe is to undertake a radical overhaul of the club, which he has previously openly criticised for being inefficient and being “the dumb money” in town.

Fergie opens up on horse racing love

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he got hooked on horse racing after his first visit to the Cheltenham Festival. The legendary manager has become a major racehorse owner since retiring from football.

He is now involved in 32 horses, including the top chasers Protektorat and Clan Des Obeaux, and will have his first runner in the $1million Bahrain International Trophy on Friday.

Ferguson’s racing colours came to national prominence when he was the owner of Rock Of Gibraltar, the brilliant miler trained by Aidan O’Brien who won the 2,000 Guineas in 2002. But the 81-year-old had already had stakes in racehorses having been introduced to racing by his father.

Freedman’s best Palace signings

Manchester United are planning to secure the services of Dougie Freedman as their new sporting director from Crystal Palace when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s proposed deal goes through.

INEOS chairman Ratcliffe is set to confirm his 25 per cent stake in United before the end of the month, a year since the Glazers put the club up for sale. Ratcliffe will spend around £1.3bilion on acquiring a minority shareholding in the Red Devils, and his first move has been to axe chief executive Richard Arnold.

Patrick Stewart has replaced Arnold on an interim basis and Ratcliffe is expected to undergo a major transformation of footballing operations in the board room. According to The Sun, Freedman could then become United’s new sporting director.

After leaving Nottingham Forest, Freedman spent a year out of the game before returning to Palace in August 2017 as sporting director. It’s safe to say the 49-year-old has done a superb job in that role, spearheading several impressive signings that have kept Palace as a staple Premier League outfit.

United eyeing Fofana

Manchester United are reportedly attempting to beat Juventus to the signing of Youssouf Fofana.

That is according to RMC Sport, who suggest that the Red Devils are ‘closely monitoring’ his performances, while PSG are also interested.

His contract with Monaco runs until the summer of 2025.

Woodward breaks silence

Ed Woodward has found himself a new gig in artificial intelligence, as Manchester United, once again, begin the search for the person to fill the role he vacated.

Woodward has been appointed as a Strategic Advisor and Non-Executive Board Member for AI company SentientSports.

Woodward said on his next challenge: “I am excited to be joining the SentientSports board and working alongside Ryan and the team. The blend of sports and AI technology at SentientSports is truly cutting-edge. With some of the industry’s leading AI talents involved, I see tremendous potential for innovation and expanding global digital fanbases.

“I’m thrilled to be part of such a dynamic company with the potential to revolutionise the global digital sports landscape.”

Ratcliffe’s impact being felt

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is yet to get through the door at Manchester United, but the shockwaves of his arrival are already being felt.

Ratcliffe is still waiting for his £1.3billion offer for 25 per cent of the club to be ratified almost a year on from the Glazer family’s statement announcing their intention to “explore strategic alternatives” for the club. Nevertheless, the wheels are already in motion behind the scenes at Old Trafford and Carrington, with important decisions being made in anticipation of the deal, which will give him sporting control of the club, being made official.

Richard Arnold jumped before he was pushed, announcing on Wednesday that he is stepping down from his role as chief executive. Ratcliffe is to undertake a radical overhaul of the club, which he has previously openly criticised for being inefficient and being “the dumb money” in town.

Ratcliffe sets eights on more United exits

Richard Arnold has become the first victim of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s radical Manchester United overhaul – with the chief executive stepping down.

Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion 25 per cent stake in United, which includes control of football operations, will be ratified by the Old Trafford board in the coming days. And the billionaire INEOS chief has wasted no time in starting his wholesale restructuring of United, by getting rid of Arnold, who had been in the role for just 19 months. With Arnold now gone, there are also major doubts over the futures of United Football Director John Murtough and Director of Football Operations David Harrison.

Man Utd face transfer raid

Bayern Munich are ready to return for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha – which could have knock-on effects for Manchester United.

The Portugal midfielder has been a big hit at Craven Cottage and attracted attention from some of Europe’s heavyweights back in the summer. Bayern backed up their interest with a bid and Palhinha was negotiating with the German giants late on deadline day.

Eventually, though time ran out with Fulham conscious that they couldn’t get a replacement in time. One man on their radar was Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, as per Sky Sports, who at that point didn’t look to feature in Erik ten Hag’s plans with minutes at a premium.

Should Fulham lose Palhinha they may look to test the United player’s resolve. He underlined his importance with a match-winning brace against Brentford earlier this season and has featured heavily since then. Competition though remains fierce at United and, should the likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes all be available at the same time, it remains to be seen whether McTominay would retain a starting berth.

United contract situation

Manchester United are already thinking about the January transfer window, with the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe giving them a financial boost – but it won’t just be about incomings.

United have made a poor start to the 2023/24 season under Erik ten Hag, with their Premier League and Champions League campaigns stuttering. Ratcliffe has ordered Sir Dave Brailsford to undertake an audit of the club and recruitment is understood to be a major area of concern ahead of his £1.3billion deal for 25 per cent of the club.

Ratcliffe will order Ten Hag to speak to Jadon Sancho in an effort to sort out their ongoing feud, even if a January exit is on the cards. And Sancho won’t be the only player considering their options in the New Year.

Players who are in the final six months of their United contracts will be free to speak to European clubs in January. That could provide an avenue for United to offload unwanted players who will be out of contract in June.

Casemiro’s Man Utd decision

Casemiro is NOT interested in leaving Manchester United in January – despite interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr.

The Brazil international, 31, joined United from Real Madrid in August 2022 and made an instant impact, helping Erik ten Hag’s side win the Carabao Cup, reach the FA Cup final and qualify for the Champions League. Yet he’s struggled for form and fitness this season.

It’s believed Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is on the verge of buying a 25 per cent stake in United and taking charge of football operations, disapproved of the club’s decision to spend £70million on Casemiro 15 months ago. He’s happy to let the player move on.

There’s said to be concrete interest in Casemiro from the Saudi Pro League. One of the clubs after the five-time Champions League winner’s services is Al-Nassr, who Cristiano Ronaldo plays for. Yet Casemiro wants to finish the season at Old Trafford.

Gallagher’s United advice

Oasis icon Noel Gallagher believes United should hire Brentford boss Thomas Frank to replace Ten Hag.

“United always seems to be a bit fractured to me and their fanbase is quite influential and it all breeds United at best treading water,” Gallagher told talkSPORT.

“United need to get some people to lower the expectations in the short term and then get somebody like Thomas Frank to re-shape that club properly from the bottom up.”