IT is set to be a summer of change at Manchester United, and not just on the pitch.
The Red Devils’ takeover is set to reach its conclusion following a gruelling five-month process.
SunSport exclusively revealed the Glazer’s preferred bidder for the club is Sir Jim Ratcliffe ahead of Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The Ineos owner is understood to have incentivised his offer by inserting a clause allowing co-chairman Joel and Avram to remain at the club.
US-based Raine Group, who have been overseeing the club’s sale, are expected to name the winning bid within days.
And with the issue of ownership finally set to be settled, United can get down to business in the transfer market.
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Erik ten Hag is planning big changes of his own in order to bring the squad up to scratch.
And one of the first changes he is set to make will be between the sticks, with the Dutchman desperately wanting a goalkeeper who can play out from the back better than David de Gea can.
The Spaniard’s recent mistake against West Ham has seen the top-four race blown wide open as Liverpool seek to pinch United at the death to earn Champions League football.
David Raya is one such star linked with the position, but there could also be new faces in defence.
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A new-look central defensive partnership could be seen at Old Trafford next season, with Ratcliffe sanctioning a raid on his other club Nice in France.
This may see ex-Barcelona CB Jean-Clair Todibo line up alongside Napoli’s Kim Min-jae, with reports suggesting United will trigger the South Korean’s £52million release clause in the first 15 days of June.
With no change at full-back, the next change may come in central midfield.
In this case, Ratcliffe may look to poach another star from Nice in the form of Khephren Thuram, the son of legendary Frenchman Lilian.
The 22-year-old ranks among the best midfielders in Ligue 1 for ball carrying. Thuram finds himself ranked No7 for carries into the final third while he also scores in the top 12 for progressive carries.
This shuttling ability could be useful alongside United’s other potential recruit, Declan Rice.
The West Ham captain could be on the move to Old Trafford with Arsenal now fearing they could be priced out in a bidding war for him.
The Irons are reportedly ready to allow bids to be pushed all the way up to £130m, with the Gunners said to want to strike a deal worth £80m.
Finally, the attack could see Ratcliffe’s statement signing of Harry Kane.
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Ten Hag has been crying out for an ace to help score more goals, with just two players from the current squad having 10 or more in all competitions this season.
Kane, 29, has 26 in the Premier League alone – three less than United’s top scorer Marcus Rashford has managed in all comps.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
