Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first transfer window at Manchester United is expected to provide wholesale changes across the squad and hierarchy.
Not only is the Englishman already drawing up plans for how he can bolster the Reds ahead of what needs to be a much-improved 2024/2025 campaign, but he’s also overhauling his personnel at staff level.
John Murtough stepped down from his role as football director last week while United remain locked in talks over Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox and the impending arrival of Omar Berrada.
Of course, reinforcements in the team frequently come hand-in-hand with departures. Raising funds provides United with increased manoeuvre around signings, as well as Financial Fair Play regulations.
Harry Maguire was one player who most fans expected to see the back of last year. He’d just been stripped of the captaincy and endured an underwhelming campaign on a personal level, given that he made just eight Premier League starts.
However, a deal failed to materialise between the Reds and his potential suitor, West Ham United, and the Englishman has since gone on to oversee a resurgent turnaround in form. Injuries may have played a part in his increased starts initially, but there’s no doubt that Erik ten Hag now views Maguire as a key name in the 11.
Such form will have only increased his transfer value, and that’s something that United can look to take advantage of when comparing their most sellable assets.
Transfer reporter Rudy Galetti claims that Maguire ‘could say goodbye’ at the end of the term – around the time his counterpart Raphael Varane will also be leaving as a free agent.
It remains to be seen if the Irons will reignite their pursuit of the experienced centre-half, who earns a reported £189,000 per week.
