Sir Jim Ratcliffe must get ‘ruthless’ and axe popular Man Utd star he publicly defended

According to the report from express.co, it is reported that once the Premier League has ratified Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion deal for a 29 percent stake this month, INEOS will inherit total control of football operations at Manchester United. And the 71-year-old tycoon has reportedly repeated his intention to be “ruthless” during an impending overhaul on and off the pitch.

However, the report significant change is on the horizon – be that in the dugout, amongst the playing squad, in the club’s hierarchy and at Old Trafford and United’s Carrington training complex.

Manchester head coach Erik ten Hag has overseen a squad makeover in just two summers as Red Devils manager, and INEOS are expected to fund another busy period of spending ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Multiple high-profile names are set to leave. Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are out of contract in June, while Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are among those entering the final year of their current deals.

Left-back isn’t expected to be a position United look to address, with Luke Shaw one of Europe’s best when fit and Tyrell Malacia signed by Ten Hag in 2022 to act as his competition.

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But maybe it should be. Shaw could face another spell on the sidelines after withdrawing from Sunday’s 2-1 win against Aston Villa at half-time.

And as good as the 28-year-old is when he’s healthy, there is an unsettling sense of unreliability about his availability that won’t do at any club challenging for the highest honours.

Shaw’s latest injury concern may not be serious. After the huge victory at Villa Park, Ten Hag confirmed he was replaced by Victor Lindelof as a precaution.

“[Shaw came off as a] precaution. He had some complaints, and we can’t take any risks with him because he’s had many injuries in the past,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.

“We’ll have to see how it goes in the next few days. It’s not an advantage to lose him. Everyone knows my philosophy to have left-footers at left centre-back and left-back.

“Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw are both left-footed, and we also haven’t had Tyrell Malacia for the whole season.