Manchester United need Sir Jim Ratcliffe to be ruthless about one position

Manchester United supporters will be hoping for an instant impact from Sir Jim Ratcliffe once his investment in the club is ratified in the coming days.

The British billionaire is set to finalise his 25 percent stake in United at the start of next week, with further big changes anticipated at Old Trafford following news of Richard Arnold's departure.

John Murtough could also be replaced as part of a mooted review of the club's sporting structure, but for many fans, the real gauge of change will be within the club's approach to the transfer market, with eyes already on January.

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It might be wishful thinking to expect any significant changes to United's transfer policy so close to the next window, but there will certainly be an entirely new level of scrutiny when it finally opens at the start of next year.

United typically start planning for the next transfer window as soon as the previous one closes, with both short-term and long-term targets shortlisted as they plan for the future and the permutations they might face.

The Manchester Evening News revealed in mid-September that United have provisionally targeted four significant signings next summer, plans that could change once Ratcliffe's investment is confirmed.

At the top of their list is a centre-back with Edmond Tapsoba, Jean-Clair Todibo, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Gianluca Mancini among those who have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

United are anticipating departures in every area of the squad and there is even an argument to suggest they might need to sign two defenders in order