As Manchester United grapples with the aftermath of their Champions League exit, focus shifts to the upcoming Premier League encounter against arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday. Injuries to key players Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw during the Bayern Munich defeat add to United’s challenges.
With no Europa League fallback after finishing bottom in Group A, pressure mounts on the team. The anticipated £1.25 billion minority takeover by INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe introduces an element of uncertainty regarding January transfer plans.
Possible squad reshuffling, including the movements of players like Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Donny van de Beek, Jadon Sancho, and Anthony Martial, is under consideration.
Despite the Champions League disappointment, there are no immediate plans to remove manager Erik ten Hag. The Glazers, aware of INEOS’s impending involvement, are unlikely to complicate matters by dismissing Ten Hag. The fate of Ten Hag is expected to be influenced by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
INEOS has shown interest in manager Graham Potter, as seen in their previous consideration before Francesco Farioli’s appointment at Nice. While there is acknowledgment of Brailsford’s support for Potter, it remains uncertain whether INEOS sees him as a suitable candidate for the managerial position at Old Trafford should Ten Hag depart.
As United faces challenges on and off the field, the upcoming changes in ownership and potential managerial considerations add layers of complexity to the club’s narrative. The Liverpool clash becomes a pivotal test for United, not only in terms of on-field performance but also in the broader context of ongoing transformations and strategic decision-making.
