Jim Ratcliffe will have Roy Keane’s backing over axing Man Utd trio
Manchester United icon Roy Keane will likely back Sir Jim Ratcliffe if Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial are sold in the January transfer window. Reports claim that part of a major overhaul overseen by Ratcliffe will see the Red Devils trio axed from Erik ten Hag’s squad.
All three players have struggled at Old Trafford despite being signed for big money. Antony is yet to register a goal or an assist this season and has not settled at the club over 12 months on from his blockbuster £86million switch from Ajax.
Sancho has been exiled from the first-team squad after a falling-out with Ten Hag. Reports claim that Ratcliffe, whose bid for 25 per cent of United will soon be ratified, will back the Dutchman by selling Sancho in January.
Meanwhile, striker Martial could be cast aside after failing to find consistency under Ten Hag. The Frenchman, now 27, has ultimately failed to realise his potential after his remarkable start to life at Old Trafford as a teenager in 2015.
According to The Sun, Ratcliffe will put the trio up for sale in January. Former midfielder Keane might agree with the radical move given the Irishman has criticised all three players over the last few years.
DON’T MISS… Ten Hag left looking silly by Man Utd duo now helping save him from the sack[LATEST]
Last season, ex-United captain Keane warned Antony that he will “learn the hard way” if he continued trying to make a fool of the opposition. The winger had earned a reputation for attempting tricks that were perceived to be unnecessary, in a possible attempt to wind up defenders.
“I think he will have to learn the hard way,” Keane said. “Players have targeted him – we saw that at the weekend, where he is trying to make a fool of people and players have tried to go through the back of him, so he will have to learn quickly otherwise he will pick up more injuries.”
The 52-year-old also backed Ten Hag over his treatment of attacker Sancho. Having been dropped from the team to face Arsenal in September, the United boss accused the 23-year-old of not applying himself during training.
A bitter feud has since seen Sancho removed from the first-team squad. He is unable to even eat alongside his colleagues.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
DON’T MISS…
Sir Jim Ratcliffe to put three Man Utd stars ‘up for sale’ as Antony red-faced[GOSSIP]
Erik ten Hag ‘adamant’ Andre Onana will prove doubtful Man Utd figures wrong[VERDICT]
Erik ten Hag may fear Sir Jim Ratcliffe plan after brutal Ralf Rangnick snub[LATEST]
Keane appeared to support Ten Hag, insisting: “The one thing I don’t really forgive a player for is not training properly.”
There was also criticism for Martial after the 3-1 defeat by the Gunners. Ten Hag had praised the Frenchman after the game, but Keane said: “You’re looking at Martial – the manager praised him. I don’t think he got a kick, he didn’t do too much.”
Keane might therefore support Ratcliffe if all three players are sold. The British billionaire is hoping for a major overhaul in January to help Ten Hag get his side back on track.
Source: Read Full Article