I heard what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said about Jude Bellingham - it's great news for Manchester United

Not even the most optimistic Manchester United fan could have imagined a situation where Kylian Mbappe would be rocking up at Old Trafford this summer.

It has been well-documented that he will almost certainly join Real Madrid when he finalises his exit from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season. The Spanish giants have, for quite some time, established themselves as the favourites to secure one of the most coveted signatures in football.

Therefore, it was hardly surprising when Sir Jim Ratcliffe all but quashed any remaining dreams that he would become the poster boy of the Ineos chief's first transfer window at the helm. The United co-owner does not want to buy United's way to success, instead planning to take a more sustainable and practical approach.

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"What I would rather do is find the next Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune just trying to buy success," Ratcliffe told the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast. "It's not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way?

"Anybody could figure that one out. But what's much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, the next [Jude] Bellingham or the next Roy Keane."

United are a few months out from embarking on one of the most important transfer windows the club has faced in its recent history. As reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this month, United plan to become more proactive in the seller's market, so much so sales could reach double figures.

Profitability and sustainability rules are becoming stricter and stricter, meaning United need to do all they can to remain within the boundaries of those