Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to make an instant impact on the completion of his purchase of a stake in Manchester United, according to reports.
The British billionaire is on the cusp of purchasing a 25 per cent stake in the club and taking control of football operations, and is also thought to be set to pledge £245million to improve infrastructure.
As such, he is believed to already be planning an overhaul of the club’s scouting and acquisition network.
However, these roles are currently filled by CEO Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and director of football operations David Harrison – who was only appointed earlier this year.
As a result, The Sun is reporting that all three could lose their jobs as a direct result of Ratcliffe’s takeover, although it had been suggested already that Arnold would leave in the event of the 71-year-old’s arrival.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly expected to axe three club chiefs on completion of his purchase of 25 per cent of Man United
CEO Richard Arnold is thought to be among those likely to be shown the door by Ratcliffe
Furthermore, they are reporting that the 25 per cent purchase will be completed as early as Monday.
In recent years, the Red Devils have made a number of big-money purchases in the transfer market – signings which have not always delivered the desired results.
The most glaring of such buys is undoubtedly Paul Pogba, who was brought in for £89m, but never delivered on the promise he had showcased at Juventus before making the switch back to United.
Furthermore, the French World Cup winner in 2018 ended up departing the club for nothing as he made his way back to The Old Lady in 2021 at the end of a dismal spell at the club.
United have also forked out £85.5m on Antony, £80m on Harry Maguire, £75m on Romelu Lukaku, and another £73m on Jadon Sancho – whose future is still unclear.
This has not however translated into a similarly large trophy haul, with United still without a league title in the absence of Sir Alex Ferguson, something that is thought to concern Ratcliffe.
The Red Devils have lost three of their last four games in all competitions – conceding 10 goals in that period – and are already out of the Carabao Cup and on the brink of an early Champions League exit.
Ratcliffe is however believed to be sympathetic to Erik ten Hag’s plight, having won the Carabao Cup last term having been brought in on the back of a period of failure under Davis Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Paul Pogba is the club’s record signing at £89m and is one of a number of heavy investments that did not return a Premier League title
Erik ten Hag’s side are under pressure after just one win in their last four matches in all competitions
Rasmus Hojlund scored twice on Wednesday but was powerless to avoid defeat against Copenhagen
The Dutchman has meanwhile spent an estimated £374m on transfers, with this summer’s acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund a notable addition to that tally.
The Dane scored twice on Wednesday but was powerless to prevent his side from falling to a shock defeat on the road to Copenhagen.
He did however break two records in doing so; he became the youngest to ever score a brace on the road in the Champions League at the club, and broke Dimitar Berbatov’s record (four) for most goals in his first four outings (five) in Europe.
The Red Devils will take on Luton Town on Saturday afternoon, in need of a big result against the newly-promoted side to build up some much needed momentum.
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