Ratcliffe lines up ex-Chelsea manager tipped to raid former club for FOUR stars

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 3 Mar 2024 07:38 GMT
• 4 min read

Graham Potter has been tipped to raid Brighton for as many as four players in the summer should Sir Jim Ratcliffe get his wish and make the former Chelsea manager Manchester United’s next boss.

Erik ten Hag finds himself under fire at Old Trafford in what has been a second disappointing season in succession.

Although United have improved on last term, they appear destined to fall short of their goal of reaching the Champions League next season – a failure that will have stark financial implications for the club.

READ MORE: ‘Basic refereeing error’ – Liverpool gifted vital goal in Premier League title race

Ratcliffe is lining up Graham Potter for the role, according to The Sun, with the billionaire known to be an admirer of the ex-Chelsea boss. Indeed, last summer Potter came close to moving to Nice, another side owned by Ineos.

FootballTransfers exclusively reported that Ratcliffe was interested in bringing Potter to the club last May, but now there is the possibility for concrete steps to be taken.

READ MORE: The solution to Man Utd's problems is at Dortmund but it's not Sancho

Potter has already held talks with incoming Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth over the move.

Should this deal be completed, United have been tipped with an astonishing quadruple raid on the AmEx Stadium outfit.

What Brighton players does Potter want?

Potter is tipped to sign no fewer than four players from Brighton in his ideal Manchester United team.

Evan Ferguson would be drafted in to support Rasmus Hojlund in the No.9 role, while Julio Enciso has been tipped to replace Bruno Fernandes in the No.10 role.

A third change in the spine is possible, with Billy Gilmour touted for a move to the Old Trafford side to replace compatriot Scott McTominay and Casemiro in the midfield. Gilmour was signed by Potter from Chelsea just days before the Englishman made the reverse trip, setting the Scotland international’s career back.

Finally, Pervis Estupinan would arrive in the left-back area.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

On top of these four Brighton players, Potter is also tipped to raid Chelsea for centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, who is expected to be sold by the Stamford Bridge outfit in the summer.

Of course, there is much work to be done by Man Utd to compile such a team, with Brighton unlikely to take kindly to being raided for four star players.