Ten Hag to be handed INEOS war chest for Man Utd transfers by Ratcliffe

Tom Weber

• Updated: 1 Jan 2024 14:17 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United may well be able to spend big in the summer despite Financial Fair Play concerns, according to a report.

The Red Devils were not able to get all of their business done in quite the planned manner in the bygone transfer window due to the ongoing takeover saga and the club butting up against Financial Fair play regulations. In fact, Man Utd were fined some €300,000 by UEFA in July over a 'minor break-even deficit.'

FFP concerns will likely continue to plague United for January unless funds can be raised from sales, but it could be a different story in the summer. Though the club have already announced that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has acquired a 25 per cent stake, his investment is still awaiting Premier League approval and this will likely come too late to influence Erik ten Hag's winter business.

In the summer, however, the Dutchman could be given a sizeable transfer war chest - if he survives until then, that is.

Ratcliffe to solve FFP issues

Ratcliffe's and INEOS' investment will help ease United's FFP concerns, according to The Times. Under the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, teams can only post losses of up to £15 million (roughly €17.3m) a year over a three-year period, but this can be offset with funds from an investor.

Thanks to the Ratcliffe money, United's allowable losses could increase to as much as £105m (€120m) a year. This could see Ten Hag provided with significant funds in the summer in order to complete deals that are impossible in January, such as reinforcing the defence with Jean-Clair Todibo or signing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

More funds will, of course, also be freed up by departures. Jadon Sancho, still in exile, is expected to be loaned out this month and could be sold on in the summer, while Donny van de Beek has already joined Eintracht Frankfurt temporarily with an €11m buy option. Big earner Raphael Varane, meanwhile, could also leave in the summer, but there is also the possibility of him signing a new deal with a reduced salary.