Manchester United could have lined up a dream triple signing – but for the latest twist in the takeover saga
(Image credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United are set for new investment – but it's put a spanner in potential transfer plans of Erik ten Hag.
As per Sky Sports, INEOS entrepreneur and Nice owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to pay £1.3 billion for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United, having been a fan of the side his whole life. The petrochemicals billionaire is set to assume the football side of the business, as the Glazers' influence at Old Trafford recedes.
But amid the optimism for Red Devils fans, a planned triple transfer has now been committed to the scrapheap.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is investing in Manchester United (Image credit: DIRK WAEM/AFP via Getty Images)
According to Bild in Germany, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani – who has now pulled out of the running to buy United – had his eye on three world-class talents to kickstart his tenure as owner.
French trio Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni had all been lined up by the Qatari sheikh as part of an ambitious plan to shake up Ten Hag's squad.
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Ratcliffe may choose to make star-studded signings himself – but has previously indicated that he would adhere to a policy of bringing young talents through as he has done at Nice.
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“They haven’t got the manager selection right, haven’t bought well,” he told the Times. “They have spent the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred.
Kylian Mbappe was on the radar for Manchester United before this takeover (Image credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
“United have spent an immense amount since [Sir Alex] Ferguson left and been poor, to put it mildly. Shockingly poor, to be honest. We [at Nice] have a different approach here to be moderately intelligent about it.
“Try to do it more grassroots, trying to locate young talent. Some clubs seem to have the ability to do that, Southampton and Lille. United have done it really poorly. They have lost the plot.”
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
