Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning to reduce Erik ten Hag’s influence in Manchester United’s transfer strategy, according to reports.
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The Dutchman has been granted a large say in United’s transfer dealings following his move to Old Trafford 18 months ago.
But Ratcliffe’s imminent arrival at Old Trafford will signal a change in United’s structure in their recruitment department.
According to the i, Ratcliffe wants a ‘deep audit’ of United’s set-up and one key change will be to put transfers ‘in the hands of experts’.
The report claims that Tottenham’s former head of recruitment, Paul Mitchell, is a leading candidate to become United’s new sporting director.
And the arrival of a new sporting director will reduce some of the power Ten Hag has when deciding who arrives in the transfer window.
Ratcliffe is set to pay £1.3 billion for 25 per cent of United after Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani withdrew from the bidding process earlier this month.
It’s understood that Ratcliffe’s offer will be the start of a phased takeover which would see the Glazer family eventually relinquish control of United.
Speaking after United’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, Gary Neville was adamant that the prolonged takeover involving Ratcliffe has created a ‘toxic’ environment for Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
‘You imagine that you are in a business, you are in a football club and the news is there is a guy who is going to come in and wipe out the whole football department,’ Neville said.
‘Have you imagined what is going on inside that whole football department at this moment in time? In and around Erik ten Hag. It is toxic and embedded negativity.
‘They all think they are going to lose their jobs. I know you can say: ‘Carry on with it, they are professionals,’ but you imagine what is happening. Jim Ratcliffe’s going to come in with Dave Brailsford and they are going to sweep out the football department, they are all going to get moved away.
‘That is what is happening and I honestly believe this toxicity that exists at this football club, and has done for years, by the way, eats alive every manager that comes and every player that comes.
‘Harry Maguire was going to go to Manchester City, Mason Mount was going to go to Liverpool, they come here and it is a graveyard for them. Are we going to keep blaming the kids in the class or are we going to blame the headteacher?’
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