Tag: INEOS

Rooney slams United’s pre-INEOS recruitment as “horrendous”

Wayne Rooney
November 2025

Rooney labelled United’s pre-Ratcliffe recruitment strategy erratic, highlighting costly marquee arrivals such as Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku and short-term bets like Zlatan Ibrahimović as emblematic of a lack of football vision before INEOS assumed football control. He contrasted that era with recent targeted moves under the new structure—Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens—citing improved balance and form. United’s unbeaten run across five has eased pressure as the club pivots to profile-driven squad building.

Ratcliffe vetoes Lewandowski free transfer despite Amorim’s interest

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.

Cantona touted as ambassador in potential United sale

Eric Cantona
October 2025

Prospective buy-out planners floated Cantona’s ambassadorial return while ownership remains split between the Glazer majority and INEOS minority with football ops led by Ratcliffe. Any role depends on transaction progress and PR strategy to reconnect fans during governance change and infrastructure investment.

United’s Old Trafford Plans Hit Land Dispute Snag

Manchester United
September 2025

Manchester United’s bold Old Trafford redevelopment faces a major hurdle after Freightliner hiked land prices to £400m, eight times United’s £50m projection. The site, west of the stadium, was vital for a 100,000-seat canopy-wrapped design. Freightliner’s pending takeover by CMA CGM complicates talks, prompting United to draft alternative, more traditional stadium designs. Ratcliffe insists redevelopment will modernize Old Trafford and regenerate the area, though fans already branded the original canopy plans “embarrassing” and “circus-like.”

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