- Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3 billion investment could finally be confirmed next week
- He will face a difficult decision about the future of Casemiro and Raphael Varane
- No one will be fooled by the nature of Man United’s performances this season IAKO
Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces a crucial decision over the futures of Casemiro and Raphael Varane once he takes charge of football at Manchester United.
Ratcliffe’s £1.3 billion investment could finally be confirmed next week, when the New York Stock Exchange reopens after the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Ineos billionaire and his sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford are expected to sit on a new football committee once Ratcliffe acquires a 25 percent stake in the club from the Glazer family.
United have already announced that CEO Richard Arnold will leave before the end of the year, with football director John Murtough also likely to leave as Ratcliffe focuses on improving recruitment.
United paid Real Madrid a combined £112 million for Casemiro and Varane, even though the two were 30 and 28 respectively when they moved to Old Trafford on lucrative, long-term contracts.
Out-of-form Casemiro (L) and out-of-favour Raphael Varane (R) could be heading for an exit
The Brazilian midfielder has struggled to match the excellent start he enjoyed during his first season at Old Trafford, appearing to lack form and fitness at the start of this season.
Meanwhile, Varane has fallen down the pecking order under United manager Erik ten Hag (left)
Both played crucial roles in Erik ten Hag’s impressive first season at the club, but have struggled this season and head into the January transfer window with a question mark over their future.
Casemiro seemed out of shape at the start of the season and will be out until after Christmas with a hamstring injury. The Brazilian has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January. Even if he stays, his future is likely to be in question this summer.
Varane has now fallen out of favor with Ten Hag, which has practically put their relationship on the rocks. It is believed a frank exchange took place after Varane was left out of last month’s Manchester derby, and the Frenchman has made just three substitute appearances since.
The 30-year-old is said to be unhappy that Jonny Evans was chosen ahead of him, with Victor Lindelof subsequently selected to play alongside Harry Maguire against Luton two weeks ago when Evans was injured.
‘Maguire took his chance in Varane’s absence. When the moment comes, you take it and the other person has to fight back,” Ten Hag told beIN Sports on Thursday.
Bayern Munich have expressed an interest in signing Varane for £25million in January, but the Germans are unlikely to be able to afford his £340,000 weekly wage. United have discussed replacements, but the move for Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo could pose a conflict of interest due to Ratcliffe’s ownership of the French side.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3 billion investment in Manchester United could finally be confirmed next week when the New York Stock Exchange reopens after the Thanksgiving break
Manchester United are now considering a move for Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo (right)
The squad unity that was so strong last season was missing, not helped by the division among the players over the decision to ban Jadon Sancho.
It is symptomatic of a division in the camp between players who welcome the Dutchman’s discipline and those who do not.
Privately, a number of coaching staff have discussed a softer approach to getting all the players in the side for a crucial series of games.
It starts with Sunday’s trip to Goodison Park where Everton face a 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules. When asked if it is a bad time to play against Everton, Ten Hag replied: ‘That is certainly the case. They get more fuel. It could work against them too.”