Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'could sack three Manchester United senior figures'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 11 November 2023

Ratcliffe 'could sack three Man United senior figures'

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and director of football operations David Harrison could all allegedly lose their jobs at the club.

Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and director of football operations David Harrison could all reportedly lose their jobs once Sir Jim Ratcliffe's deal has been confirmed.

Ratcliffe is preparing to purchase 25% of the 20-time English champions, and he is expected to immediately take over football operations at the club.

The deal will allegedly be completed during the November international break, and the owner and founder of the INEOS group is believed to be planning to make big changes at Old Trafford.

According to The Sun, the jobs of three senior figures at the club are in doubt, with Arnold, Murtough and Harrison facing uncertain futures.

The report claims that Ratcliffe will overhaul the scouting department, as he believes that the club are currently missing out on a host of young talents to rival clubs.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is pictured at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, March 17, 2023 © Reuters

The 71-year-old is said to be determined to bring in his own team in the leadership positions, but the job of head coach Erik ten Hag is thought to be safe for the moment.

Man United have already been beaten on nine occasions in all competitions this season, and a recent report claimed that Ratcliffe wanted Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi to replace Ten Hag.

However, such suggestions are believed to be wide of the mark, with Ratcliffe confident that the current head coach can turn around the season in the coming months.

Ten Hag is also expected to be backed with funds during the January transfer window, with the club said to be planning to bring in a new centre-forward, potentially Mehdi Taremi from Porto.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023 © Reuters

There had also been suggestions that Man United could move for another centre-back in January, but a swoop for Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo has allegedly been put on hold until the end of the campaign.

Ratcliffe is also said to be determined to add two clubs to the Man United network in order to help them source and develop the best young footballers in world football.

Meanwhile, it is understood that the British billionaire has committed to investing £245m of his own money to improve the club's infrastructure.

Ratcliffe had been in direct competition with Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to complete a takeover of Man United.

The Glazers are believed to have made it clear late on that a full sale at this stage would not be possible, though, which led to Sheikh Jassim withdrawing his bid and Ratcliffe changing the structure of his offer.