Ratcliffe’s FOUR Man Utd transfer priorities as new era set for lavish kickstart

Robin Bairner

• 15 Jan 2024 11:59 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is plotting four major additions to the Old Trafford side’s squad over the course of 2024.

Ratcliffe was present as Man Utd played out a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday in a result that keeps the Old Trafford side seventh in the standings.

The billionaire is in the process of finalising a 25% minority takeover of the club, and while that is unlikely to come in time to make an impact during January, the prospect of major investment in the playing staff in the summer is very much live.

According to the Standard, Ratcliffe is chasing four major signings to bolster Man Utd’s first-team squad.

Who will Man Utd sign?

Unsurprisingly, the Red Devils are targeting a striker who is “at a similar level to Harry Kane”. United have toiled in front of goal all season, and though Rasmus Hojlund is now up to a couple of goals for the campaign, their lack of firepower means that midfielder Scott McTominay remains their leading scorer in the Premier League this season with five strikes to his name.

Hojlund, though, is by no means set to be cast aside, with the new arrival brought in as support to him.

On top of this, Man Utd also want an additional winger, with Michael Olise of Crystal Palace said to be a “key” player in Ratcliffe’s thinking going forwards.

Defensive improvements are also on the menu, with a centre-back expected to arrive. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo are names often linked to Man Utd and are again foremost among the club’s thinking.

On top of this, a right-back is expected to arrive, though no names are mentioned as being leading priorities in this area.

Interestingly, current manager Erik ten Hag is thought to be playing a role in this planning process, which suggests that Ratcliffe is not dismissive of the prospect of the current Man Utd manager staying on.

What is clear, though, is that a big investment to kickstart this new Man Utd era is coming.