Sir Jim Ratcliffe is expecting to get his investment in Manchester United verified before the January transfer window, but there are still questions about the money that will be made available to strengthen the team according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Rob Dawson.
Ratcliffe and his INEOS group are offering a £1.35 billion [$1.643 billion] proposal to buy a 25% stake in the club and take over management of the sporting division of the company.
According to a source who spoke to ESPN, Ratcliffe is aware of the criticism from supporters because his arrangement will keep the Glazer family, who are unpopular owners, in place. There is a perception that a successful January transfer window would go some way toward assuaging fans.
However, there are worries that financial fair play (FFP) regulations may make it difficult to conduct business, especially given that there are currently no plans to pay off the club’s debt. Payments on the debt, which United owes close to £1 billion according to numbers disclosed in March, would enhance the budget for transfers, but as things stand, there is little room for maneuver after spending £178 million on players ahead of the new season.
Rasmus Hjlund, Mason Mount, André Onana, Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon, Sofyan Amrabat, and Jonny Evans were all signed by United using their entire summer budget. Due to the thin financial margins, Dean Henderson’s permanent transfer to Crystal Palace had to be announced before Bayindir, Reguilón, and Amrabat could travel.