Ratcliffe’s first transfer showcases the new, smarter Man Utd
Robin Bairner
- 23 Nov 2023 02:41 CST
- 3 min read
Jean-Clair Todibo has pushed Raphael Varane to the Manchester United exit door.
The 23-year-old may be playing with Nice in Ligue 1, but the once-capped France international will not simply be a replacement for Varane – he will be an upgrade.
Signed from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, the Frenchman has lost his form and his place in the hierarchy of the Old Trafford side this season. Among those to have overtaken him are Harry Maguire, who seemed destined for a summer exit, and Jonny Evans, who was a surprise summer signing.
Todibo, too, is set to jump ahead of him in the pecking order should he complete a move from Nice to Man Utd – a deal that will easily be smoothed by the presence of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Red Devils' incoming minority owner, at both clubs.
Indeed, the new France international is set to elbow Varane away from the Premier League, potentially towards the Saudi Pro League or perhaps even Serie A.
It is a deal that makes sense on multiple levels.
Todibo a perfect opening transfer for Ratcliffe era
Ratcliffe, who will take control of the sporting aspects of the Old Trafford side, wants Man Utd to recruit smarter. Here is the perfect example of what he wants. Out will go a big name in the form of Varane and in will come a more capable player in Todibo, who may even arrive for a smaller fee. The latter will certainly be on a far more manageable wage than the multiple Champions League winner.
And there will be no loss in quality either.
Varane is, according to data analytics firm SciSports, Man Utd’s best centre-back. Of course, this is drawn from months of form and not purely from his difficult recent weeks. He posts a SciSkill score of 102.3, which is calculated using hundreds of in-game data points.
Todibo, on the other hand, is up at 107.7, with the potential to rise to 114. The latter score would be enough to push him above any other player currently on Man Utd’s books. If he were to hit that standard, it would make him the sixth-strongest centre-back in world football.
And that is why this transfer looks so appetising to Ratcliffe and Man Utd.
The club is likely to sell Varane for more than they spend on Todibo, and yet they will have a significantly better player for making the deal.
This is the new, smarter Manchester United that Ratcliffe and the fans are dreaming of.
