Sports

Five world class transfers Man Utd could pull off after Sir Jim Ratcliffe takeover including Osimhen and former star

MANCHESTER UNITED fans were handed an early Christmas present after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s long-awaited 25 per cent takeover of the club was confirmed.

The whole saga took a staggering 13 months, with supporters beginning to believe it would never happen.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially completed his 25 per cent takeover of Man Utd – but who could the new part owner sign?Credit: PA

But on December 24, a Christmas miracle occurred and Ratcliffe concluded his £1.3billion stake in the Red Devils from the Glazer family.

The Glazers first put United on the market over a year ago but failed to agree to selling their entire share.

Their demands led to Sheikh Jassim pulling out of any potential deal but didn’t deter Ratcliffe.

The INEOS chief was always clear he planned to take a hands-on approach to running the club.

And Ratcliffe will now be in charge of football operations – which includes transfer dealings.

So who could the new part owner target to bolster Erik ten Hag’s struggling squad?

United are in dire need of reinforcements across the board, so there will be no shortage of targets and it’ll be more of a “longlist” than a shortlist.

SunSport looks at five of the best options for Ratcliffe’s Man Utd…

Victor Osimhen

Scoring goals has been an almighty problem for Man Utd this season – with just 18 in 18 Premier League games this season.

United splashed £72million on Rasmus Hojlund, but the Dane has failed to break his top-flight duck.

The former Atalanta ace has been starved of service, but Ratcliffe could choose to bring in a proven, prolific scorer to reap some immediate rewards.

And Osimhen, 24, is the name on every top club’s lips right now, with the Napoli man on fire – scoring 31 times in just 39 matches last season in Serie A.

Frustratingly for Man Utd, Osimhen penned a new deal at the Italian giants just ONE DAY before Ratcliffe’s takeover.

But that doesn’t make him untouchable… just more expensive.

How much will Ratcliffe be willing to part with to land the most sought-after striker in Europe?

Man Utd need striking reinforcements and Victor Osimhen could be just the manCredit: AP

Frenkie de Jong

Hojlund absolutely cannot be blamed for a lack of goals… he’s been starved of service – from the wings, especially.

But United have lack a certain creative spark in midfield.

Scott McTominay is the club’s top scorer this season, but has struggled as much as his team-mates to set up Hojlund and Co.

Barcelona star De Jong, 26, is a long-term target of United and appeared to be on the brink of a move in the summer.

Despite that falling through, Old Trafford chiefs – including Ratcliffe – will be eager to have another stab at landing the Dutch former Ajax ace in 2024.

A huge talent still yet to reach his peak years, this would be a statement move from the new part-owner.

Frenkie de Jong could be just the creative spark Man Utd have been crying out for in the middle of the parkCredit: Rex

David de Gea

Another summer signing, another problem area.

Man Utd have looked desperately poor between the sticks with Andre Onana largely struggling since his £47m move to Old Trafford.

The Cameroon international could even be lost to the Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024.

So Ratcliffe could be keen to invest in a new keeper… someone with proven Premier League pedigree.

How about someone with proven Man Utd pedigree, like a four-time Players’ Player of the Year?

De Gea is STILL a free agent having been released by Ten Hag and Co in the summer and has recently teased a comeback after returning to Manchester.

The Spaniard may not be the future of United at 33 years old, but he’d certainly do a job between now and the end of the season at the very least.

Man Utd could turn back to David de Gea in a bid to solve their keeper crisisCredit: PA

Serge Gnabry

Man Utd need a winger… desperately.

Hojlund has been left utterly isolated – but fans and pundits alike have spared the Dane from any fiercer criticism as Anthony, Alejandro Garnacho and Co just haven’t got him involved.

In fact, those two combined have only completed six passes to Hojlund all season.

So Ratcliffe will surely scour the globe for a creative, proven, world-class talent.

How about Bayern Munich’s former Arsenal ace Gnabry?

The German’s future at the Bundesliga giants is very much in doubt and United have been linked with a move.

With Jadon Sancho’s future at Old Trafford in increasing doubt, the Red Devils are looking wafer thin on the flanks.

In Gnabry, 28, United would get creativity, goals and a proven winner entering his prime years… what’s not to love?

Man Utd are in need of fresh legs on the wings and Serge Gnabry would be a marquee signingCredit: Getty

Goncalo Inacio

Another problem area at the club… surely not?

United are really struggling for quality and depth across the board – and even proven, world-class Raphael Varane’s arrival hasn’t helped their shaky defence.

Veteran Jonny Evans and untested youngster Willy Kambwala started Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham as the injury crisis mounts.

Harry Maguire showed flashes of his best form and even won the November Player of the Month award before his latest injury setback.

United first registered an interest in the Sporting Lisbon star in the summer of 2022.

Inacio, 22, is under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season and he has a whopping £50m buyout clause.

SunSport understands a United scout was sent to Lisbon to closely monitor the Portuguese international.

And with Ratcliffe now at the helm, he could make a move as early as January.

Man Utd will need to raid the transfer market for a new centre back and Goncalo Inacio would be a strong shoutCredit: Reuters

Related Posts

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are the main contenders for the 2024 MLB Silver Slugger Award

Major League Baseball announced its Silver Slugger finalists on Monday, with players like Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, the New York Yankees pair of Aaron Judge…

Boo hoo, England – there are no moral victories in Test rugby and it’s great the All Blacks silenced the moaning

Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. Sure, the All Blacks were a bit lucky to beat England 24-22 at Twickenham. And, no, it wasn’t the most…

Interim coach Ian Costello takes pride in Munster fight after defeat to All Blacks XV

Munster interim head coach Ian Costello says his team can hold their heads high after falling narrowly short of a famous win against an All Blacks XV at…

ใครกัน “ดาวดังแมนฯ ซิตี้” ออกโรงแช่ง “อโมริม” ล่วงหน้า แม้ยังไม่มาเริ่มงานกับ “แมนยูฯ”

ดาวเตะชื่อดังของ แมนฯ ซิตี้ ออกมาแช่ง รูเบน อโมริม ไม่ให้ทำผลงานกับ แมนฯ ยูไนเต็ด ได้ตามเป้าหมายที่วางไว้ วันที่ 5 พฤศจิกายน 2567 แบร์นาร์โด ซิลวา ออกมาให้สัมภาษณ์ก่อนเกม ยูฟ่า แชมเปียนส์ลีก รอบลีกเฟส นัด 4 ที่ แมนเชสเตอร์ ซิตี้ จะต้องบุกไปเยือน สปอร์ติง ลิสบอน…

AFC ตั้ง “มาดามแป้ง” และ 2 เจ้าหน้าสมาคมฯ ดำรงตำแหน่ง AFC Committee

สมาพันธ์ฟุตบอลแห่งเอเชีย หรือ เอเอฟซี ส่งหนังสือยืนยันการแต่งตั้ง “มาดามแป้ง” นวลพรรณ ล่ำซำ นายกสมาคมกีฬาฟุตบอลแห่งประเทศไทยฯ พร้อมด้วย เจ้าหน้าที่สมาคมฯ 2 ราย ในการทำหน้าที่ AFC Committee วาระปี 2023-2027 โดยจะมีผลตั้งแต่วันที่ 30 ตุลาคม 2567 เป็นต้นไป สำหรับ มติดังกล่าวเกิดขึ้นจากการประชุม AFC Member Assiciations &…

LeBron James Celebrates Wife Savannah’s 37th Birthday With Heartwarming Dance Video!💃🎂

Mama James is kicking off Virgo season with undeniable 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day charm captivating attention with new photos that have surfaced this week the wife of NBA superstar LeBron James…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *