November 22nd 2023.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.3bn investment in Manchester United is expected to be announced soon. The British billionaire is set to take control of 'football operations' at Old Trafford, while the Glazers will retain full control of the club itself. Ratcliffe will pump in £245m of his own money to improve the club's infrastructure and resolve long-term issues with their recruitment.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, Manchester United have squandered almost £1.3bn and they haven't won a league title since his departure. To help with this, Ratcliffe wants to appoint a new head of the club, with Richard Arnold, the club's current CEO, due to step down by the end of the year.
Of particular importance is appointing a new sporting director. Ratcliffe has drawn up a five-man shortlist and is currently looking at various options. These include AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman and Atletico Madrid's Andrea Berta. Atalanta's Lee Congerton, who brought Ramus Hojlund to the club before his £72m move to Manchester United last summer, is also on the list. Paul Mitchell, the former Tottenham and Southampton director, is not thought to be in the running.
Erik ten Hag failed with a move to sign Thomas Muller for Manchester United. Ratcliffe's investment in the club could be the spark needed to get the Red Devils back to the top of the Premier League. With a new sporting director appointed, it'll be interesting to see who he brings to the club and how the team's fortunes will shape up.
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