It was billed as one of the biggest days in the modern history of Manchester United. Instead, today’s board meeting could end up just being another day at the office.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is keen on investing in the club he supported as a child, though the suggestion is that it could still be a number of weeks before the club is close to any official agreement.
Thursday’s board meeting has been penciled into the diary for a long time, and there is no guarantee the agenda will be ripped apart at the last minute to vote on Ratcliffe’s proposed investment while there is still much to be decided.
Ratcliffe will want assurances about an eventual succession plan to take total control from the Glazers, while the current owners will themselves want clarity on how much money they stand to make and need total agreement from all the siblings on whether they want to lose control entirely.
It could yet be a long-winded business, and there is still no absolute guarantee of an agreement being reached. Supporters will need to wait a little longer, something they are already well used to doing.
If he does get his wish, Ratcliffe will want to make up for lost time and try to win his doubters over. The key to that could be a mooted review of the current structure and establishing a robust long-term strategy to get the club back to the very top.
The 71-year-old has previously criticised United’s ‘shockingly poor’ spending since Sir Alex Ferguson retired and has outlined his vision at Nice as a ‘grassroots’ one that focuses on ‘young talent.’ He could look to bring the same approach to Old Trafford.
That is particularly interesting with regard to the upcoming transfer windows and the long-term rebuild of United under the current vision of manager Erik ten Hag.
United have provisionally targeted four significant signings next summer, though this could change under a new sporting structure if they identify other issues with the squad.
At this moment in time, United intend to strengthen at full-back, centre-back, central midfield and in attack, with outgoings expected in most departments.
The Manchester Evening News revealed that Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive pair, Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba, were both of interest during the summer when United considered approaches.
It seems certain United will sign at least one new central defender, and there is even the possibility they might sign two given Raphael Varane’s reoccurring injury issues, Harry Maguire’s uncertain future, and the fact that both Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are out-of-contract next summer.
United have also been monitoring Brighton striker Evan Ferguson and could look to sign another recognised striker, with Anthony Martial’s future at the club still unclear.
They will certainly look to sign at least one new midfielder, though that could end up being Sofyan Amrabat, whom the club has the option to buy for €25million when his season-long loan ends. Incorporating young Kobbie Mainoo could eliminate the need for another once he recovers from his injury.
United will also look to make improvements in the sales department, with a number of established squad players expected to leave the club unless their current situation drastically changes.
