Inside Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' transfer strategy amid Manchester United takeover bid

After a fractious relationship with their current ownership, Manchester United fans share a common hope for positivity moving forwards.

The two frontrunners to takeover the club are Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Speculation suggests the latter is in pole position to complete his purchase with Avram and Joel Glazer reportedly willing to agree to a full sale.

However, sources close to Sheikh Jassim's camp last week refused to admit the process was falling in favour of their bid and appeared to suggest both parties had an equal chance of completing a takeover. Should Ratcliffe win the race to buy United, there remains something of an unknown regarding the money United would have to spend in the transfer market.

It is commonly accepted Sheikh Jassim has the financial power to compete at the top of the Premier League but, due to the INEOS chief's bid for 60 per cent of United, supporters are concerned there would be less money for Erik ten Hag to work with in the summer should Ratcliffe move in.

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The only litmus test available for Ratcliffe's strategy in the transfer market comes from what he has done at his other football club Nice. In July 2022, Ratcliffe's right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford was questioned about the French club's approach to transfer dealings and set out what seems a sensible and long-term strategy.

He told L'Equipe and Nice-Matin: "I understand their [fans'] concern [about the transfer window], but rest assured, here at INEOS, we like to work discreetly. Nice are working on developing a playing style with a manager who has a clear style himself.

"We decided that it would be smarter to wait for Lucien’s