The Man Utd player Sir Jim Ratcliffe dismissed as 'dumb money'

Stuart Telford

• 11 Jul 2023 14:22 BST
• 3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains in contention to become new Manchester United owner, and he is more than likely to sanction the sale of Brazil midfielder Fred should he take control at Old Trafford.

The Glazer family started accepting bids for Man Utd in November, and although no sale has yet been sanctioned, Ratcliffe remains in contention, alongside Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The INEOS boss, who also owns Ligue 1 side Nice, has tabled a bid of £5.5 billion which includes the Glazers as minority owners, and was recently boosted by UEFA's decision which will allow for up to six clubs under joint-ownership.

READ: Man Utd takeover: The state of play as HUGE new details emerge

Ratcliffe is a long-time Man Utd fan, one who was in attendance when the club completed the continental treble under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999 with late victory over Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou in that year's Champions League final.

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 19, 2022

'Dumb money… with players like Fred'

The standard of player at Old Trafford has declined in the years since, though, and Ratcliffe was particularly outspoken when United signed Fred from Shakhtar Donestk for €59 million in 2018.

"We never want to be the dumb money in town, never," he told The Times. "[United] are in quite a big pickle as a business.

READ: Man Utd plan to sell Fred and sign €40m replacement who is WORSE

"They haven't got the manager selection right, haven't bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred. United have spent an immense amount since Ferguson left and been poor, to put it mildly. Shockingly poor, to be honest."

Fred has made 213 appearances for United since joining, contributing 14 goals and 19 assists from defensive midfield, and upped his game last season following the €80m arrival of his Brazilian compatriot Casemiro from Real Madrid.

Erik ten Hag is willing to sanction his departure this summer, though, with Fulham and clubs in Saudi Arabia credited with an interest in his services.