Manchester United are in a weird position where they need, and probably want to do a lot of business in January but their hands are tied.
The Glazers have ensured that Man Utd have to operate in the market with one hand tied behind their backs for a while and Ineos are making some tough decisions to get around that handicap.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is sacrificing the morale to get the financial bottom line on track and in the transfer market, they are having to be creative.
Nuno Mendes, the flying full-back from PSG who United have been linked to, is a priority transfer target but United are trying to form a unique arrangement to get the deal done.
Man Utd trying for Nuno Mendes transfer
Nuno Mendes is a huge opportunity for Ruben Amorim to reunite with a player who broke through under him, plays at a position of need at Old Trafford, and will be financially palatable due to his contract situation.
His contract at PSG expires in 2026 and he has shown no signs of signing a new deal so far, leaving the door open for United to pounce.
There have been reports, however, that Mendes will be too expensive in January, prompting United to look toward Patrick Dorgu.
Still, Amorim’s priority is clear and the board looks determined to land his first-choice target, even if it means they have to be creative.
FootMercato reports that United are trying to convince PSG to not sell Mendes in January when they are not in a position to secure a deal for him.
Instead, PSG are being urged to sell Mendes in the summer when United would hopefully be in a better position to strike. In the meantime, PSG can try and negotiate with Mendes over a new contract as well.
United are banking on Mendes’ want to reunite with Amorim which will see him reject contract offers and are relying on PSG agreeing to it since it gives them clarity for six months and time to negotiate a contract if they can.
At the same time, effectively earning a first option on Mendes will strengthen United’s negotiating position since they’ll attack the summer market with a lot more clarity.
Ineos’ financial prowess about to be tested
United’s revolving credit facility paid for their summer business but that was pretty much a case of kicking the can down the road and dealing with it later.
That later has arrived now, which is causing issues at the club at a time when the Man Utd squad needs the most reinforcements.
Ineos have taken over a financial mess but the moves they’ve made, unpopular ones more often than not, have ensured the spotlight is firmly on them.
The Glazers will probably be laughing all the way to the bank as they take a backseat to everything and allow Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe to bear the brunt of criticism.
Their financial prowess and trickery will be severely tested this January and in the summer as the need to offload low-performing, high-costing contracts arises at the same time as potential incoming players.
It seems like they know what they are getting into and are trying to get ahead of the curve by striking unique agreements with clubs to prep for an active summer window.
The power of United’s brand along with Ineos’ financial prowess is about to be severely tested.
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