SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S proposed deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United is unlikely to be ratified at Thursday’s board meeting, according to reports.
The British billionaire is expected to pay £1.4bn for a quarter stake in the club, which would reportedly give his company, INEOS, control over footballing operations at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Man United stars have approached Jadon Sancho regarding his falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
Several first-team players have grown fed-up with the situation and have urged the 23-year-old to apologise to the Dutchman.
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Man Utd’s next five games
The Red Devils travel to face Sheffield United on Saturday.
Man Utd stars tell Sancho to apologise
Jadon Sancho has been told to sort out his row with Erik ten Hag NOW.
Fed-up Manchester United team-mates have approached the winger about his stand-off with the manager.
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Sancho ‘for sale’
Man Utd are preparing to sell Jadon Sancho in the January transfer window.
The Mirror understands club chiefs are preparing to offload him during the mid-season window.
And they are willing to take a sizeable loss to sell the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Sancho arrived from the Bundesliga side for £73million in 2021.
It is now being reported the Premier League giants would accept a fee in the region of £40m.
Fans face wait for takeover news
Man Utd fans may have to wait until next month at LEAST before finding out if Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be taking a stake in the club.
The 70-year-old’s bid was initially expected to be given the green light in a Red Devils board meeting this week.
It had been thought that the £1.4bn offer for 25 per cent of United from Britain’s richest man and his Ineos petrochemicals giant could be approved as early as today.
But while a scheduled board meeting WILL take place as planned and the potential share sale is almost certain to be discussed, there will be no decision from the Glazers and other directors.
Although a late change of heart is possible, it is understood that the final details on any agreement are still being thrashed out by lawyers and are unlikely to be completed in time.
Ratcliffe is understood to be wanting “sporting control” of the club despite only taking a minority stake.
In the red corner
Eddie Hearn has revealed Wayne Rooney still messages him about a fight – with an Old Trafford showdown against Jake Paul teased.
Rooney – an avid boxing fan who competed as an amateur when he was younger – fancies his chances against a celebrity rival.
And Hearn told on The Overlap how the Manchester United legend could end up in the ring with YouTuber-turned boxer Paul.
He said: “He won’t mind me saying but after every big fight, especially with a YouTuber, sometimes Rooney will fire me a message.
“Wayne Rooney had a very limited amateur pedigree but could still fight.
“Wayne Rooney training, and I said to him, ‘Imagine the shape you could get in as well. You’ll get right back into shape.’
“(Rooney) against Jake Paul at Old Trafford.”
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United dealt ANOTHER injury blow
Sofyan Amrabat has become the latest Manchester United star to suffer an injury.
The Moroccan midfielder was forced to withdraw from international duty this week.
Amrabat was a notable absentee from the Morocco side that beat Liberia 3-0.
He also missed their friendly with the Ivory Coast on Saturday.
According to Moroccan news outlet Al Ayam, the on-loan United midfielder was not involved due to an unspecified injury, making him a serious doubt for United’s away game against Sheffield United this weekend.
Credit: Getty Sheffield Utd vs Man Utd ones to watch
Summer signing Gustavo Hamer has been a shining light for Sheffield United this season.
The Brazilian, recruited from Coventry in August, has scored in matches against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
Man Utd, meanwhile, found an unlikely hero in Scott McTominay.
The Scotland star scored an amazing late double against Brentford and will surely be rewarded with a start this time around.
McTominay will also be buoyed by Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2024 and should be oozing with confidence.
Sheffield Utd vs Man Utd team news
Paul Heckingbottom will continue to deal with a lengthy list of absentees and Chris Basham’s horrific ankle injury did not help the Sheffield United boss’ woes.
Ben Osborn (groin), John Egan (ankle), Tom Davies (muscle), Daniel Jebbison (muscle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (hamstring), Max Lowe (ankle), William Osula (knock) and George Baldock are all doubts for this huge encounter.
Elsewhere, Ten Hag has a few injury issues of his own as this match has come too soon for Lisandro Martinez (foot), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Amad Diallo (knee), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (muscle) and Luke Shaw (muscle).
However, the United boss will be delighted to welcome the potential returns of Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon.
But there is still no confirmation on when Jadon Sancho will play for the Red Devils again.
Hojlund branded a ‘disappointment’ by San Marino star
Man Utd star Rasmus Hojlund was slammed by a San Marino veteran after claiming he was targeted during their clash.
Roberto Di Maio hit back after the striker suggested San Marino players tried to “crush” him during Denmark’s 2-1 win on Tuesday.
He wrote on social media: “Today I read that Mr 80 million is complaining because yesterday he received less than great treatment from the defenders of San Marino.
“Well dear, probably in football like today where physical contact has disappeared you can allow yourself to make fun of us little opponents with ugly and repeated gestures or to simulate at every opportunity hoping for the VAR for a penalty.
“I would have liked to see you 15 years ago when only real men played football! You were a disappointment Hojlund, good luck.”
Credit: AP Ratcliffe deal being delayed
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid for a 25 per cent share in United has a number of potential sticking points – in terms of board representation and demarcation lines.
This is between the Ineos areas of authority and those still under the remit of the current hierarchy.
They will need further detailed discussions and negotiation before a formal proposition is put to the board.
Changes to board members must then be confirmed via the New York Stock Exchange, where the club is listed.
Since the start of last month, United’s “market capitalisation” – the value of the club’s shares – has fallen by around £750m.
Ratcliffe is hoping to have attained control ahead of the January transfer window.
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Man Utd put Sancho up for sale
Man Utd are preparing to sell Jadon Sancho in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The English forward, 23, has been axed from the Red Devils’ first-team squad for the past six weeks following a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
The Mirror understands club chiefs are preparing to offload him during the mid-season window.
And they are willing to take a sizeable loss to sell the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Sancho arrived from the Bundesliga side for £73million in 2021.
It is now being reported the Premier League giants would accept a fee in the region of £40m.
Red Devils’ team-mates fed up with Sancho
Jadon Sancho has been told to sort out his row with Erik ten Hag NOW.
Fed-up Manchester United team-mates have approached the winger about his stand-off with the manager.
Far from having sympathy with Sancho, the large majority of the squad have grown sick of the situation.
They blame the player and have told him he is in the wrong and needs to apologise to the Dutch boss and get back training with the first team.
Senior football staff have also told him he could have the problem sorted out immediately if he wanted to.
Boss Ten Hag has the full backing of the Old Trafford hierarchy in the dispute.
They say the ball is completely in the player’s court and must apologise to the manager for effectively calling him a liar in a public statement on social media.
Ten Hag put Sancho’s absence from the first-team squad for the defeat at Arsenal on September 3 down to poor levels of training.
Race for Osimhen
Liverpool have been keeping a very close eye on Chelsea and Arsenal target Victor Osimhen, who has previously been linked with Manchester United.
SunSport understands Kop scouts have been watching the Napoli star while he in in Portugal on international duty.
Jurgen Klopp sent one of his network to take in Nigeria’s friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in the Algarve over the last week.
The Napoli ace played for just an hour against the Saudis before picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-2 draw.
But the Liverpool boss already knows about the brilliance of Osimhen, 24, who fired Napoli to the Serie A title last term.
However, his relationship with the Italian champs has soured in the last few months.
He’s not seeing eye to eye with boss Rudi Garcia.
While the bad feeling over the club mocking him on social media has just added to the uncertainty over his future.
Osimhen has still been producing on the pitch though.
He’s bagged six goals this season to prove he’s still one of the best strikers in the world and worth in excess of £100million.
United supporters made to sweat over Ratcliffe bid
Manchester United fans may have to wait until next month at LEAST before finding out if Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be taking a stake in the club.
The 70-year-old’s bid was initially expected to be given the green light in a Red Devils board meeting this week.
It had been thought that the £1.4bn offer for 25 per cent of United from Britain’s richest man and his Ineos petrochemicals giant could be approved as early as today.
But while a scheduled board meeting WILL take place as planned and the potential share sale is almost certain to be discussed, there will be no decision from the Glazers and other directors.
Although a late change of heart is possible, it is understood that the final details on any agreement are still being thrashed out by lawyers and are unlikely to be completed in time.
Ratcliffe is understood to be wanting “sporting control” of the club despite only taking a minority stake.
The Brit is the sole remaining bidder after Qatari Sheikh Jassim walked away from the table last week, accusing the Glazers of an “outlandish” £6bn valuation. That would allow him to push ahead with immediate moves including the long-term future of Old Trafford.
Joao on Red Devils’ radar
Benfica midfielder Joao Neves could attract a summer bid from the Red Devils – despite a reported release clause of £100million-plus.
Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg believes United may ponder launching a huge offer for the bidding for the 19-year-old Portugal star.
Old Trafford scouts have had Neves on their radar for some months.
He emerged with Benfica’s first team in January after Enzo Fernandez’s £107million switch to Chelsea.
Plettenberg said: “Neves is a potential transfer target for Man Utd. Not in winter, but for summer – confirmed.”
But he added: “More top clubs are monitoring the top talent from SL Benfica!”
Credit: Getty
Harry risks backlash
Harry Maguire has sparked a backlash for claiming England boo-boys are not “proper fans”.
The Manchester United defender has previously been targeted.
And Jordan Henderson was jeered in the games against Australia and Italy for his Saudi Arabia move.
Maguire, 30, said: “Proper England fans don’t boo players.
“Don’t boo players who dedicate their life to play and do everything they can to make this country have good memories and special moments for them and the fans and their families.
“I know a lot of top, top England fans and I know the England fans who have been with me ever since my debut.
“They’re right behind me and they’re right behind Jordan as well. You heard a lot of cheers and yes, a few jeers, but they aren’t England fans.”
But England’s LGBT+ supporters’ group says Henderson should not be surprised by the boos.
Utd stars want Jadon to say sorry
Jadon Sancho has been told to sort out his row with Erik ten Hag NOW, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Fed-up Manchester United team-mates have approached the winger about his stand-off with the manager.
Far from having sympathy with Sancho, the large majority of the squad have grown sick of the situation.
They blame the player and have told him he is in the wrong and needs to apologise to the Dutch boss and get back training with the first team.
Senior football staff have also told him he could have the problem sorted out immediately if he wanted to.
Boss Ten Hag has the full backing of the Old Trafford hierarchy in the dispute.
They say the ball is completely in the player’s court and must apologise to the manager for effectively calling him a liar in a public statement on social media.
Ten Hag put Sancho’s absence from the first-team squad for the defeat at Arsenal on September 3 down to poor levels of training.
Sofyan boost for United
Sofyan Amrabat has become the latest Manchester United star to suffer an injury.
The Morocca midfielder was forced to withdraw from international duty this week.
Amrabat was a notable absentee from the 3-0 win over Liberia 3-0.
And he also missed Morocco’s friendly with the Ivory Coast on Saturday.
Al Ayam say the on-loan United midfielder was not involved due to an unspecified injury.
That makes him a serious doubt for Saturday’s Prem trip to Sheffield United.
Maguire: Proper England fans don’t boo players
Harry Maguire insists “proper England fans don’t boo players” as he defended Jordan henderson.
Manchester United defender Maguire and most recently the ex-Liverpool midfielder have been jeered by some Three Lions’ supporters.
With homosexuality illegal in Saudi Arabia, Henderson has come under fire tor taking Al-Ettifaq’s mega-bucks despite previously speaking out in support of LGBT rights.
But Maguire told Sky Sports: “Proper England fans don’t boo players, don’t boo players who dedicate their life to play and do everything they can to make this country have good memories and special moments for them and the fans and their families.
“I know a lot of top, top England fans and I know the England fans who have been with me ever since my debut.
“They’re right behind me and they’re right behind Jordan as well. You heard a lot of cheers and yes, a few jeers, but they aren’t England fans.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
