{"id":296733,"date":"2023-10-22T07:54:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-22T07:54:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=296733"},"modified":"2023-10-22T07:54:41","modified_gmt":"2023-10-22T07:54:41","slug":"six-stars-sir-jim-ratcliffe-should-sign-for-man-utd-if-billionaire-takes-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/six-stars-sir-jim-ratcliffe-should-sign-for-man-utd-if-billionaire-takes-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Six stars Sir Jim Ratcliffe should sign for Man Utd if billionaire takes control"},"content":{"rendered":"
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    The seemingly never-ending drama about the ownership of Manchester United could be set to take another turn if Sir Jim Ratcliffe's bid to buy a 25% stake in the club is accepted.<\/p>\n

    The INEOS billionaire has tabled a bid of \u00a31.3billion for a minority stake in the club, that would seek to give him control of footballing operations at Old Trafford. While the Glazers will still own and control the commercial side of United, Ratcliffe would be in charge of the day to day running at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

    And by virtue of having a 25% stake in the club, he would also be involved in conversations pertaining to the commercial deals United conduct too. However, for Red Devils fans who want to see the back of the Glazer family, the news they will remain in charge will still feel like a bitter pill to swallow.<\/p>\n

    READ MORE:<\/b>'I was Roy Keane's team-mate then played under Man Utd icon \u2013 this is how he changed'<\/b><\/p>\n

    READ MORE: <\/b>'Wayne Rooney will manage Man Utd one day \u2013 he's preparing for when the phone rings'<\/b><\/p>\n

    But, should Ratcliffe's bid be accepted, then there will ultimately be a new face for United fans to place their hope in – especially since it has been reported by ESPN he believes a strong January transfer window could appease discontent supporters.<\/p>\n

    So with that in mind, Daily Star Sport<\/b> took a look at six potential signings United could make in the upcoming transfer window.<\/p>\n

    Ivan Toney<\/b><\/h3>\n

    While Man United spent a big sum on striker Rasmus Hojland this past summer, they could still do with another forward to bolster their attack. Enter Ivan Toney.<\/p>\n

    The Brentford striker is due to return to competitive football in mid-January next year following his betting suspension. "It's like a kid at Christmas \u2014 I'm counting down the days until I can train and be around the boys, being in football prison at the moment," Toney told Diary of a CEO podcast host Steven Bartlett back in August.<\/p>\n

    Who do you think Manchester United should sign in the January transfer window? Let us know in the comments section below.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

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    Last term, Toney scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games, three more than Marcus Rashford. While Brentford and Thomas Frank will be keen to hold onto the 27-year-old for as long as possible, the reality is Toney will be out of contract next summer, giving Brentford just two transfer windows to either tie him down, or sell him on before he can leave on a free.<\/p>\n

    With Brentford placing a price tag of \u00a340m on Toney, the signing of the England international would represent a decent outlay. But in doing so, Man United would improve their attack, take some weight off the shoulders of Hojlund and Rashford, and prevent another rival, like Arsenal and Chelsea, from signing him.<\/p>\n

    Jean-Clair Todibo or <\/b>Marc Guehi<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Centre-back remains a position of need for Man United, despite the club have spent a fortune on defenders over the course of the last decade. Harry Maguire looks set to leave Old Trafford in the near future, having nearly left in the summer.<\/p>\n

    Injuries to other defenders prevented his departure, with the 30-year-old's \u00a380m move from Leicester City back in 2019 having just not panned out. In Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, they have two good centre-backs, but the quality behind them is sorely lacking.<\/p>\n

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    \u00a322 a month<\/p>\n

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    Magure, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are United's other three central defenders. While Varane is 30, they could look to sign a natural long-term successor to the French defender in the form of his compatriot Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice or Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi – who has attracted interest from a host of Premier League sides.<\/p>\n

    The former of the two defenders would likely be a less expensive option, while Guehi would command a big fee to move from London to Manchester. United were linked to Todibo this past summer too, but Maguire's collapsed move to West Ham scuppered any hope of that happening. However, should Maguire leave in January, that could open the door for Man United to go back in for Todibo, who made his international debut for France in September.<\/p>\n

    Martin Zubimendi<\/b><\/h3>\n

    With Casemiro ageing, and potentially looking on the decline after his stellar season last term, Man United need to look at signing a new holding midfielder. So could Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi be on their shortlist?<\/p>\n

    The 24-year-old has made two appearances for Spain and been a regular started for La Real over the course of the last three seasons. Last term, he was instrumental in helping Imanol Alguacil's side to a fourth place finish, which earned them a spot in the Champions League this term.<\/p>\n

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    While Real Sociedad are unlikely to want to lose Zubimendi in January, the Spanish international has a \u00a352m release fee clause in his contract, which runs until 2027. And signing the La Real midfielder would represent a move to look towards the future, as well as landing a player who could contribute immediately, either in a two-man midfielder, or the deeper of a three-man engine room. <\/p>\n

    Pedro Neto <\/b><\/h3>\n

    While Wolves haven't had too much shout about this season, the performances of winger Pedro Neto have certainly gotten fans excited at Molineux. Capable of playing on both flanks adeptly, Neto has picked up five assists this season and looks to have fully returned to form after a couple of seasons where he was plagued by injuries. <\/p>\n

    Of course, Gary O'Neil's side will hope to be able to hold onto Neto, whose contract runs till 2027, until at least the summer transfer window. However, the reality is, the 23-year-old winger is going to attract a lot of attention from Premier League sides in the coming months.<\/p>\n

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    A direct, skilful winger who is full of energy, Neto would provide the perfect balance to a front three, bringing some much needed creativity and added dynamism to Man United's frontline. <\/p>\n

    Frenkie de Jong <\/b><\/h3>\n

    So, while this one might be a little bit far-fetched, especially given the fact Man United failed to convince de Jong to join them back in 2022, hear us out. Barcelona need money. Everything they have done since Joan Laporta returned to the helm at the Catalan side has been done as a means to either generate revenue, or cut costs where they can.<\/p>\n

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    With that in mind, what would Barcelona say if Man United tested the waters with a bid of say, \u00a360m in January? There's absolutely no way Barcelona do not entertain that bid. De Jong is a player ten Hag wanted badly, having previously coached him at Ajax.<\/p>\n

    So while true de Jong wants to remain in Barcelona, his contract runs out in 2026. Sure, Barcelona might tie him down to a new deal, albeit at a reduced salary which would keep both sides happy. But there's no harm is seeing if they would be open to selling de Jong either now is there?<\/p>\n