Jim Ratcliffe ‘exaggerated’ Man United’s financial issues as huge new bid goes in
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe “exaggerated” the club’s financial issues after the latest transfer news at Old Trafford.
The INEOS chief took over the Premier League side’s footballing operations in February 2024 after purchasing a 27.7 per cent stake for £1.25billion.
Ratcliffe has since increased his stake in Man United to 28.9 per cent after injecting £238million into the club.
The 72-year-old claimed earlier this year United would have gone “bust by Christmas” if it wasn’t for his cost-cutting measures, which have seen hundreds of staff made redundant at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s side have spent around £133million on signing Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer.
United have now moved to sign Benjamin Sesko after making an offer to RB Leipzig worth around £74million, including add-ons.
The 20-time English champions are looking to move several out-of-favour stars on this summer, but Marcus Rashford is so far the only senior player to leave after joining Barcelona on loan.
Man United want to sell two stars
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
United are looking to compete higher up the Premier League table next season after finishing 15th in the 2024-25 campaign.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “Manchester United are in the same position as City, Chelsea and a number of clubs in terms of wanting to sell off some of their dead wood.
“We know about Sancho, Antony, they haven’t sold Rashford, but he’s gone on loan.
“They have not brought in the cash that they would have expected to so far, and that is a challenge, but they seem to be keen to continue the spending.
“The cash problems and financial problems that Ratcliffe talked about in February seem to have dissipated despite a whole succession of things going against them from a budgeting perspective.
“Everything seems to have gone worse since he gave that interview with various people, so I’m not sure why they now feel more comfortable spending, or whether there was maybe a slightly exaggerated picture painted in February.”
Ruben Amorim has changed his mind on Kobbie Mainoo transfer
In terms of other transfer activity at Old Trafford, Football Insider revealed on 3 August Kobbie Mainoo is likely to stay at United despite interest from the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham.
Amorim was not initially convinced by the England international, but he’s been won over by his performances in training and now values him as a key member of his squad.
The 20-year-old endured an injury-hit 2024-25 season, where he registered just two goals and one assist in 37 appearances.
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