Man United have ignored Sir Jim Ratcliffe mantra but Ineos plan hints at transfer redemption

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is in the building.

The Ineos chief has met Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag and visited the Carrington training complex having secured a 25 per cent investment in United. He will have control of footballing matters with transfers and recruitment towards the top of his in tray.

The January window might be open but it's the summer one where the full effects of the Ineos investment will be felt. United, Ten Hag and Ratcliffe will all want to use the summer as a chance to flesh out the squad with the reinforcements required. The early vibe from the manager is that everyone will be broadly on the same page.

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"We had a long meeting, for many hours we sit together, on many issues we were on the same page," said Ten Hag. "It was a very constructive meeting and we're looking forward to working with each other."

For Ratcliffe, the challenge is to right the wrongs of recent recruitment. He and his fellow Ineos colleagues have vast experience in business plus plenty of sporting know-how, and their success in other fields provides hope that they can find some for United in the transfer market.

United have often over-spent and under-planned. The strategy has been haphazard and it's one Ratcliffe and Co will need to address. The answers could be found in the 71-year-old's business dealings.

“We have invested huge amounts of money in deals, but 80% of deals [outside of INEOS] go wrong," said the new United investor in a business interview in October 2022.

“It’s two things (to change that percentage): one is rigour, you have to do your homework really well, and you have to