The deal-makers’ dinner: Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc head to The Ivy to work out Man United’s next steps… and prepare ‘to put the WHOLE SQUAD up for sale with just THREE stars spared’
- The Man United minority owner was joined by Brailsford at The Ivy in Manchester
- The dinner comes after reports that Man United will sell the majority of their squad
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe went out for dinner with key advisers Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc on Wednesday evening, just days after Man United’s new hierarchy announced a massive squad overhaul this summer.
Ratcliffe and his Ineos group have made significant changes since taking charge of football operations at Old Trafford after the British billionaire bought a 27.7 percent stake in the club.
Ineos sporting director Brailsford has taken on a key role as part of the new regime at Man United.
The former British cycling chief joined Ratcliffe at The Ivy in Manchester on Wednesday evening for a meeting billed as a working dinner.
Blanc was also present. The Frenchman will become interim CEO of United on July 13 after the club announced that Patrick Stewart will leave at the end of the season, but Blanc will then be replaced by Omar Berrada when he officially starts as CEO.
Man United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe went out for dinner at the Ivy in Manchester
Ratcliffe was accompanied by Sir Dave Brailsford, left, who has been a key adviser at Man United
The dinner comes days after Man United reported it was planning a major clear-out this summer
Last month it was reported that Brailsford had done so had one-on-one conversations with players and staff to outline the club’s approach going forward.
The dinner comes after reports that Man United are open to selling the majority of their squad this summer in a boom sale.
Ratcliffe and his group are looking to overhaul United and return them to their former glory after another difficult campaign.
Man United’s new regime is reportedly open-minded to the sale and will weigh most bids.
Only three players – Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund – have reportedly been spared from the chopping block.
United will hope to build a winning team around the young trio in the future.
The approach follows a difficult season under Erik ten Hag. United have already missed out on Champions League football and are sixth in the league, but have reached the FA Cup final, where they will play Manchester City on May 25.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler first reported that selling Marcus Rashford is an option. With 100 percent of profits from trading in domestic players earmarked for compliance with FFP regulations, a sale could fit in with INEOS’s push for a fierce economic boost.
Paris Saint-Germain, who held talks with Rashford’s representatives two years ago, are one of the few clubs who could realistically match his £75m valuation and compete with his hefty personal terms if they look to replace Kylian Mbappe .
Man United are reportedly open to selling the majority of their squad, including Marcus Rashford
Rasmus Hojlund (left) and Alejandro Garnacho (right) are seen as players who are ‘off limits’
Mail Sport understands United continue to believe in Rashford and want him to succeed after investing so heavily in him with a new contract.
However, it is also recognized that his alarming loss of form on the pitch needs to change.
And while United are not believed to be actively looking to offload players, they must first raise money through sales to shore up their limited transfer budget.
It is believed that the club are keen to sign a new striker, central midfielder and right-sided centre-back, but they may not be able to spend large sums as in recent years.
Man United confirmed the off-field changes last week, with interim chief executive Patrick Stewart and chief financial officer Cliff Baty stepping down.
Stewart will be replaced as CEO by Ineos Sport CEO Jean-Claude Blanc until Omar Berrada completes his gardening leave at Manchester City, with United confirming Berrada’s start date as July 13.
Ineos has already made significant changes to United’s football operations, with football director John Murtough stepping down to make way for Dan Ashworth, who is on gardening leave at Newcastle, while the two clubs try to negotiate a compensation package.
Jason Wilcox, who worked with Berrada at City as head of the club’s academy, has already moved from Southampton to take over as technical director from Darren Fletcher, although United hope the former Scotland midfielder can take on another role at the club will accept.
