Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made a worrying private Man Utd admission. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and interim chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc have privately admitted that the club’s recruitment process won’t be as they wish this summer, according to reports. INEOS face a crucial first transfer window in charge of football operations but don’t yet have their new-look sporting structure in place.
It’s been a period of significant change at Old Trafford since Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion deal for a 27.7 per cent stake in his lifelong club was confirmed.
Several high-ranking officials have departed, including chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and other long-term servants.
INEOS have overseen a ruthless upheaval, starting with Southampton sporting director Jason Wilcox’s arrival as technical director.
Omar Berrada has already been appointed as chief executive but won’t officially start work until July 13, when he completes his Manchester City gardening leave.
United intend to bring in Dan Ashworth as their inaugural sporting director but haven’t settled on a compensation package with Newcastle United.
If they fail to reach an agreement with the Magpies, Ashworth might not land at Old Trafford until 2025. The circumstances have left United with something of a makeshift recruitment set-up ahead of the summer.
According to ESPN, Wilcox has been working on transfer business alongside director of football negotiations Matt Hargreaves and chief scout Steve Brown.
Man Utd are still waiting for Dan Ashworth. (Image: Getty)
Hargreaves and Brown are said to have recently held discussions with clubs and player representatives in anticipation of the window opening on Friday.
United will prioritise a new centre-back and striker this summer and remain confident they can produce a successful transfer window amid all the outside noise.
However, the report adds that Ratcliffe and Blanc have admitted to staff that the club “won’t be up to full speed” in the market until Ashworth starts work as sporting director.
Uncertainty over Erik ten Hag’s future is also claimed to have caused early complications regarding incoming and outgoing players.
A number of United players’ representatives have reportedly approached the club in search of clarity over the season review being led by Sir Dave Brailsford.
One player is said to have made it clear that he won’t decide on his future until he knows who will be in charge of the squad next season.
The season review has entered a third week since United’s FA Cup triumph against Manchester City on May 25.
And a final decision is expected in the coming days, which will allow Ratcliffe and his new-look hierarchy to focus on much-needed recruitment.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1909511/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Sir-Jim-Ratcliffe