Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Manchester United)
October 2025
Manchester United’s INEOS-led hierarchy blocked a proposed summer move for Robert Lewandowski, prioritising wage discipline and squad age profile over short-term star power. Despite Ruben Amorim’s openness to a veteran finisher, United will not match the £540k/week level the Pole commands. Past costly late-career deals inform the stance as United continue trimming their bill. United will pursue lower-salary, resale-viable forwards and accelerate academy pathways to protect cap table flexibility. Sporting rationale: preserve pressing intensity, dressing-room meritocracy, and minutes for recent arrivals. Financial rationale: amortisation headroom for priority positions and mid-term extensions. Barcelona’s leverage is limited near expiry; any Premier League suitors must structure heavy appearance-based variables.