Sir Jim Ratcliffe's perfect boardroom hinders Manchester United as target's 'focus' elsewhere

Manchester United are heading into one of their most important summer transfer windows in recent memory.

They have a new ownership group running the transfer strategy and an uphill task to make the club competitive again at the top of the Premier League. However, the future of Erik ten Hag remains uncertain and time is running out for United to make their decision before the week ends.

It is not just the lack of certainty on who will be in the dugout next season that is the problem though. In our latest look at the media headlines, there appears to be another issue at play that is causing troubles for United.

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According to ESPN, there is an acceptance at United that Dan Ashworth's currently-blocked move to Old Trafford is hindering transfer plans. It is understood Jason Wilcox and Matt Hargreaves are drawing up plans for the summer window but Newcastle's stubbornness in regards to compensation is frustrating plans.

It is understood that the North East club wants £20m in compensation to allow Ashworth to join the Reds before his gardening leave has finished.

What MEN Sport says: Having a solid plan for the football club is something United fans have been crying out for pre-Ratcliffe's arrival. Before the British billionaire, there was no long-term plan which was made evident by the performances on the pitch. However, the trouble with such a rigid plan is that when one piece does not fall as expected, everything can be derailed. It appears United are attempting to avoid major disruption this summer but having the chief cog in your transfer strategy tending to his garden is incredibly frustrating.

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