MANCHESTER UNITED fans were handed an early Christmas present after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s long-awaited 25 per cent takeover of the club was confirmed.
The whole saga took a staggering 13 months, with supporters beginning to believe it would never happen.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has officially completed his 25 per cent takeover of Man Utd – but who could the new part owner sign?Credit: PA
But on December 24, a Christmas miracle occurred and Ratcliffe concluded his £1.3billion stake in the Red Devils from the Glazer family.
The Glazers first put United on the market over a year ago but failed to agree to selling their entire share.
Their demands led to Sheikh Jassim pulling out of any potential deal but didn’t deter Ratcliffe.
The INEOS chief was always clear he planned to take a hands-on approach to running the club.
And Ratcliffe will now be in charge of football operations – which includes transfer dealings.
So who could the new part owner target to bolster Erik ten Hag’s struggling squad?
United are in dire need of reinforcements across the board, so there will be no shortage of targets and it’ll be more of a “longlist” than a shortlist.
SunSport looks at five of the best options for Ratcliffe’s Man Utd…
Victor Osimhen
Scoring goals has been an almighty problem for Man Utd this season – with just 18 in 18 Premier League games this season.
United splashed £72million on Rasmus Hojlund, but the Dane has failed to break his top-flight duck.
The former Atalanta ace has been starved of service, but Ratcliffe could choose to bring in a proven, prolific scorer to reap some immediate rewards.
And Osimhen, 24, is the name on every top club’s lips right now, with the Napoli man on fire – scoring 31 times in just 39 matches last season in Serie A.
Frustratingly for Man Utd, Osimhen penned a new deal at the Italian giants just ONE DAY before Ratcliffe’s takeover.
But that doesn’t make him untouchable… just more expensive.
How much will Ratcliffe be willing to part with to land the most sought-after striker in Europe?
Man Utd need striking reinforcements and Victor Osimhen could be just the manCredit: AP
Frenkie de Jong
Hojlund absolutely cannot be blamed for a lack of goals… he’s been starved of service – from the wings, especially.
But United have lack a certain creative spark in midfield.
Scott McTominay is the club’s top scorer this season, but has struggled as much as his team-mates to set up Hojlund and Co.
Barcelona star De Jong, 26, is a long-term target of United and appeared to be on the brink of a move in the summer.
Despite that falling through, Old Trafford chiefs – including Ratcliffe – will be eager to have another stab at landing the Dutch former Ajax ace in 2024.
A huge talent still yet to reach his peak years, this would be a statement move from the new part-owner.
Frenkie de Jong could be just the creative spark Man Utd have been crying out for in the middle of the parkCredit: Rex
David de Gea
Another summer signing, another problem area.
Man Utd have looked desperately poor between the sticks with Andre Onana largely struggling since his £47m move to Old Trafford.
The Cameroon international could even be lost to the Africa Cup of Nations in early 2024.
So Ratcliffe could be keen to invest in a new keeper… someone with proven Premier League pedigree.
How about someone with proven Man Utd pedigree, like a four-time Players’ Player of the Year?
De Gea is STILL a free agent having been released by Ten Hag and Co in the summer and has recently teased a comeback after returning to Manchester.
The Spaniard may not be the future of United at 33 years old, but he’d certainly do a job between now and the end of the season at the very least.
Man Utd could turn back to David de Gea in a bid to solve their keeper crisisCredit: PA
Serge Gnabry
Man Utd need a winger… desperately.
Hojlund has been left utterly isolated – but fans and pundits alike have spared the Dane from any fiercer criticism as Anthony, Alejandro Garnacho and Co just haven’t got him involved.
In fact, those two combined have only completed six passes to Hojlund all season.
So Ratcliffe will surely scour the globe for a creative, proven, world-class talent.
How about Bayern Munich’s former Arsenal ace Gnabry?
The German’s future at the Bundesliga giants is very much in doubt and United have been linked with a move.
With Jadon Sancho’s future at Old Trafford in increasing doubt, the Red Devils are looking wafer thin on the flanks.
In Gnabry, 28, United would get creativity, goals and a proven winner entering his prime years… what’s not to love?
Man Utd are in need of fresh legs on the wings and Serge Gnabry would be a marquee signingCredit: Getty
Goncalo Inacio
Another problem area at the club… surely not?
United are really struggling for quality and depth across the board – and even proven, world-class Raphael Varane’s arrival hasn’t helped their shaky defence.
Veteran Jonny Evans and untested youngster Willy Kambwala started Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham as the injury crisis mounts.
Harry Maguire showed flashes of his best form and even won the November Player of the Month award before his latest injury setback.
United first registered an interest in the Sporting Lisbon star in the summer of 2022.
Inacio, 22, is under contract until the end of the 2025-26 season and he has a whopping £50m buyout clause.
SunSport understands a United scout was sent to Lisbon to closely monitor the Portuguese international.
And with Ratcliffe now at the helm, he could make a move as early as January.
Man Utd will need to raid the transfer market for a new centre back and Goncalo Inacio would be a strong shoutCredit: Reuters
