Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes major Man Utd transfer change despite keeping Erik ten Hag

Manchester United will alter their recruitment strategy despite Erik ten Hag staying as manager, it has been claimed. It emerged late on Tuesday night that Ten Hag will not be getting the sack with Sir Jim Ratcliffe opting to keep him in his post.

An end of season review has seen the decision-makers at United come to the clear conclusion that Ten Hag is the right man for the job. He oversaw a brilliant FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley last month.

That saw him clinch his second trophy in as many seasons with the club despite an eighth-placed Premier League finish. The Dutchman consistently blamed injuries for the Red Devils’ poor league campaign.

Though United had spoken to other managers such as Thomas Tuchel, and approached the representatives of others like Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi, they are now plotting the future with Ten Hag at the helm.

But as part of staying, freelance journalist Pete Hall reports Ten Hag will take more of a back seat when it comes to recruitment unlike his first two seasons in charge. The 54-year-old has had mixed success with his 16 signings so far.

Casemiro was a success in his first season but badly tailed off in his second year. To the point that the Brazilian could be shipped to Saudi Arabia this summer.

Lisandro Martinez has been a success despite injuries but the £85million Antony who joined from Ajax, having worked with Ten Hag in Amsterdam, has been a failure so far with just 11 goals and five assists in 82 appearances.

And if the reports are true, Ratcliffe and INEOS may now have the power when it comes to signings this summer. Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise and Joshua Zirkzee, the Bologna striker formerly of Bayern Munich, are known targets.

Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is another and the fact he has not gone to Euro 2024 with England plays in their favour, though the Toffees are expected to demand at least £75million despite their financial troubles.

INEOS have already made some significant structural changes. Jason Wilcox was appointed in April by Ratcliffe as the club’s technical director.

He is the leading face for this summer’s recruitment with Dan Ashworth still on gardening leave after departing Newcastle. United would have to agree a significant compensation fee with the Magpies for Ashworth to start work in Manchester any time soon though he is seen as the man to shape their future direction.

Omar Berrada, the incoming chief executive arriving from Man City, is another who has been installed to improve United’s decision-making. He will officially start work on July 13.

INEOS boss Ratcliffe, 71, revealed his transfer policy back in March when he teased a desire to develop players in-house rather than buy ready-made superstars. Asked about Jude Bellingham on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast, he said: “He is a great footballer.

“It’s not where our focus is, the solution isn’t spending a lot of money on a couple of great players. They have done that.

“If you look at the last 10 years, they have spent a lot of money on a couple of great players. The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes who are managing and organising the club.

“And make sure we get recruitment right; it is such a vital part of football today. I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success.

“It’s not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone could figure that one out. More challenging is to find the next Mbappe or next Bellingham or next Roy Keane.

“You have to believe with Manchester United, if we get all the details right, all the right people in the right boxes, doing the right things in the right environment, that sporting elite environment that the results will drop out the bottom.

“Those things are not right at Manchester United today as we’ve said very clearly. It’s not a light switch, it’s a much longer road to travel because there’s so many aspects to it.”