11 July 2023 , 10:43
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe tore into Manchester United for ‘losing the plot’ and signing Fred as the Brazilian edges towards the exit door.
He joined the club in the summer of 2018 as the Red Devils splashed £52m to sign him from Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. Fred has gone on to make 213 appearances for United since but has never hit the heights expected of him.
He endured a rotten debut campaign at Old Trafford, whilst he failed to consistently impress under Erik ten Hag - despite appearing in 56 matches in all competitions. As a result, he has been linked with a move away from United this summer and has just a year left on his contract.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho has been rumoured to be considering a move for his former player, whilst Premier League rivals Fulham have been linked with a swoop. Ten Hag is reportedly open to selling, particularly as he attempts to generate funds for more signings.
One man who would be keen to see Fred moved on is Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The INEOS owner is one of the frontrunners to complete a takeover at Old Trafford.
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He was previously highly critical of the Red Devils’ decision to sign Fred in a scathing assessment of the club’s misguided spending under the Glazers. As quoted by The Times, he said: “[INEOS] never wants to be the dumb money in town, never. They [United] are in quite a big pickle as a business.
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"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 [Sir Alex] Ferguson left and been poor, to put it mildly. Shockingly poor, to be honest.
"We have a different approach here [OGC Nice] to be moderately intelligent about it. Try to do it more grass roots, trying to locate young talent. Some clubs seem to have an ability to do that, Southampton, Lille. United have done it really poorly. They have lost the plot."
United are expected to spend heavily this summer regardless of whether a takeover gets pushed through or not. Mason Mount has already arrived from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Andre Onana is expected to follow him to Old Trafford from Inter Milan, as the Red Devils attempt to find a replacement for David de Gea. The Italian giants want to receive around £51m for the former Ajax star
A big name striker is also on Ten Hag’s summer shopping list. Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Ramsus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani have all been linked throughout the summer.
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