Manchester United should start a significant transfer rebuild in the summer, according to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images.)
Manchester United will start a significant summer roster rebuilding in the summer. Following their investment last month, new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group have taken over Old Trafford’s football operations and are already making plans.
Ratcliffe has already named players such as Omar Berrada and Sir Dave Brailsford off the field; however, the latter is currently on gardening leave from Manchester City. Dan Ashworth is another man on gardening leave; if a deal with Newcastle United is reached, he will take over as sporting director.
But the majority of this summer’s planning will be focused on issues related to the transfer market. If United wants to catch up to teams like City and Liverpool, who played an exciting match on Sunday in the Premier League title race, they will need to completely restructure their squad.
Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite, two players from Everton who faced United on Saturday, are among the many players with whom United have already been linked. Given the continued problems at center-half, Branthwaite has been linked to a move to Old Trafford, while midfielder Onana is thought to be able to provide more strength and presence in the middle of the park.
Given their ongoing financial difficulties and the possibility of another points deduction following possible FFP and PSR breaches, Everton may need to cash in on both players. Their two assets could fetch them about £125 million if they sell them; Branthwaite is expected to fetch at least £75 million, while Onana is anticipated to fetch more than £50 million.
At the end of the season, both players will be in high demand. On Saturday, Newcastle United’s chief scout, Steve Nickson, was spotted watching the game from the Old Trafford stands. In an effort to capitalize on their increased spending power and financial boost over the past 12 months, the Magpies are also looking to bolster the middle of their defense and midfield this summer.
Nickson is thought to have been paying close attention to Branthwaite, who has shown promise this season at the age of 21. With the long-term prospects of Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar uncertain, Newcastle is searching for a young central defender.
A left-sided center-half, Branthwaite is close to earning an England cap. Being a big fan of left-footed center halves, Erik ten Hag frequently starts Luke Shaw there instead of a right-footed player like Harry Maguire.
Onana’s relocation to Tyneside has also been long-rumored. The Senegal sta is perfect for Eddie Howe’s team because of his high level of physicality and energy. There were reports in January that Newcastle enquired about a possible loan move, and it would be no surprise if they came back in for him.
The 22-year-old joined the Toffees on a long-term deal from Lille in August 2022. Prior to Sofyan Amrabat’s loan signing with United last summer, he was being linked to the latter. Onana admitted there was interest in him and said: “Clubs came knocking, but I wanted to stay to develop further and become a top player at Everton, perhaps the best.”
Newcastle took advantage of Everton’s FFP problems last year, signing winger Anthony Gordon during the January transfer window in a deal that Ashworth helped to broker. This summer, they, United, and other Premier League teams might follow suit.
