Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already hinted at Manchester United transfer strategy as announcement 'close'

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's deal to become a minority shareholder at Manchester United is edging closer and the Ineos founder will hope to improve transfer operations drastically.

Confirmation of Ratcliffe's £1.25billion investment could come as soon as next week, which would be one year after the Glazers announced their strategic review. And while the Ineos chief will only take a 25 per cent stake in the club, he is planning to take control of footballing operations.

That will see Ratcliffe in charge of United's transfer policy, an area in which they have consistently underperformed. They are the only club to spend more than £1billion on transfer fees over the last decade and much of that has gone down the drain.

ALSO READ: United takeover latest as Ratcliffe 'eyes start date' for sporting plan

ALSO READ: United could be affected by new Premier League ruling amid Ratcliffe investment

It is hoped that Ratcliffe will implement a more considered approach to transfers, having done so with current club OGC Nice. And in a 2019 interview with The Times, the petrochemicals billionaire outlined his strategy while also highlighting United's mistakes.

"[Ineos] never wants to be the dumb money in town, never," he said. "They [United] are in quite a big pickle as a business.

"They haven't got the manager selection right, haven't bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred. United have spent an immense amount since Ferguson left and been poor, to put it mildly. Shockingly poor, to be honest.

"We have a different approach here to be moderately intelligent about it. Try to do it more grassroots, trying to locate young talent. Some clubs seem to have an ability to do that; Southampton, Lille. United have