Man Utd, beware! 12 terrible INEOS transfers that should serve as a warning under Sir Jim Ratcliffe

United fans have evangelised about the British billionaire’s minority takeover, but their fortunes in the transfer market may not be about to change

Sir Jim Ratcliffe barely has his feet under the desk having completed his protracted minority takeover at Manchester United, but the billionaire already faces a defining month in his tenure. Just one week on from the baffling Christmas Eve announcement, the January transfer window is open and there is work to be done at Old Trafford to salvage a season that is withering away.

The arrival of Ratcliffe and his conglomerate INEOS has been hailed as a new dawn by the club’s following, thanks in no small part to the Glazer family’s mismanagement and questionable decision-making at the very highest level over the past 20 years, including current head coach Erik ten Hag being handed control of transfers and spending huge sums on the likes of Mason Mount, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana – all of whom have flattered to deceive.

Something has to change, and Ratcliffe will be expected to make an impression in the market having been given oversight of transfer decisions while his takeover is ratified. INEOS come with a reputation for buying low and selling high, but dealings at big-hitting United will be another kettle of fish entirely given they have never spent more than £30 million ($38m) on a player at Nice nor Lausanne.