Manchester United shirt numbers Sir Jim Ratcliffe's signings could be given after investment

Manchester United are on the verge of fresh investment and it could come as a boost to their squad before the transfer market reopens in January.

11 months after the much-maligned Glazer family announced a strategic review of their ownership, billionaire and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now expected to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club. It is thought to be worth £1.3billion to the Americans.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is no longer in contention to become the new owner - after what was a whirlwind 24 hours - leaving the door ajar for Ratcliffe to press on with his plans to invest. But there is still red tape for the 70-year-old to get through.

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Even so, the Failsworth-born billionaire reportedly already has one eye on potential signings. Exactly who Ratcliffe manages to help United bring in will naturally take up focus in the coming months.

United have continued to spend since appointing Erik ten Hag last summer. The former Ajax managed has spent more than £400million since arriving.

Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund were his marquee arrivals this summer, costing a combined total of over £180m, with Mount handed the club's famous No.7 shirt upon his £60million transfer from Chelsea. Onana took No.24 rather than No.1 while Hojlund opted to wear No.11.

January is a notoriously difficult month to strike up quality business and United will have to have their wits about them - with or without Ratcliffe in the boardroom. For whoever is eventually pursued and signed, though, there are still a few important shirt numbers up for grabs.

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