According to reports, Manchester United have ‘accounted for’ their continued absence from the Champions League to ease staff ‘concerns’.

INEOS supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe inherited a mess at Old Trafford and has been heavily criticised since completing his takeover of Man Utd at the start of 2024.

The British billionaire initially purchased a 28% stake in the Premier League giants for around £1.25bn before upping his share to 29% for an extra £79m. As part of this deal, he took over from the Glazer family in running footballing matters at Old Trafford.

Ratcliffe has had plenty of difficult decisions to make as he’s attempted to reduce United’s debt and he’s sanctioned a major cost-cutting programme.

The 72-year-old has rapidly gone from hero to villain as he’s hiked ticket prices, sanctioned mass redundancies, scrapped Christmas benefits and payments to club legends and cut staff lunches.

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Man Utd are second in our five-year Premier League net spend table and their recent struggles on the pitch have added to their misery after they failed to qualify for the Champions League last season.

The Red Devils are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, which is partly thanks to them sitting 14th in our calendar-year standings.

United chiefs are facing a busy few months as they look to boost their budget ahead of what could be a major squad overhaul in the summer.

Their poor performances in the Premier League are already impacting plans, according to a report from The Telegraph. 

It’s claimed Man Utd are ‘budgeting without Champions League football next season’ and ‘are planning for playing in Europa League, at most, for next four years rather than Champions League’.

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To ease staff ‘concerns’, Man Utd have ‘accounted for the prospect of the club missing out on European qualification this season’. The report explains:

‘United announced last week that there would be up to a further 200 job cuts on top of the 250 redundancies from last summer as part of the club’s ongoing drive to save money after pre-tax losses of £313 million in the last three seasons.

‘Budgeting going forward has been calculated under the assumption that United qualify for the Europa League for the next four years – a marked change after years of budgeting to reach the Champions League knockout stages.

‘Telegraph Sport believes this caused some concern and unease among staff fearful of the financial implications and knock-on effect on jobs if United fail to secure European qualification this term.

‘However, it has emerged that United have factored in the threat of no European football at Old Trafford next season as part of their costings.’

Manchester United chiefs have been urged to sanction deals to sign Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap this summer.

The Red Devils are working with a limited budget and they will have to offload unwanted talents to raise funds for additions this summer.

Man Utd are already second in our Premier League net spend table and Patrick Dorgu was their only marquee signing in January, while Marcus Rashford and Antony left on loan.

A major squad overhaul is required at Old Trafford to boost Ruben Amorim, with his side sitting in the bottom half of our Premier League form table.

United are already linked with potential targets ahead of the summer, with one of their priorities likely the addition of a new striker.

Ipswich standout Delap has been mentioned as a target as the Englishman, who has ten goals and two assists in his 26 Premier League appearances this season. He is expected to leave Kieran McKenna’s side if/when they get relegated and Man City have a £40m buy-back clause.

Southampton starlet Dibling is also linked with Man Utd. The Premier League strugglers reportedly slapped a £55m asking price on their prized asset in January to ward off interest from rivals.

Ex-United player Paul Parker has explained why his former club should sign the two Premier League youngsters.

“100% Man United should look at Tyler Dibling and Liam Delap,” Parker said.

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“For Delap, you have to look at what Man United need, and they need a striker who is hungry and wants to prove a point.

“His dad wasn’t anywhere near being the player his son is, so I am sure he is proud of where his son is and what he is doing.

“Delap has to choose a club where he is guaranteed game time and I am sure he is looking at Man United to give him that.”

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On Dibling, he added: “For Dibling, he would be looking at the Man United midfield and think to himself: I am better than all of them. He can run with the ball, he can pass the ball and he can score goals. He runs beyond as well.”

Parker has also encouraged Delap and Dibling to snub rival interest to “become heroes” at Man Utd.

“Man United should be looking at both of them, but it is also about whether they are ambitious enough to go to Man United or if they want a move to clubs who are functioning a bit better, but maybe doesn’t have the same status,” Parker added.

“But if they want to make a name for themselves, make it at Manchester United, because it will be known everywhere.

“They have the chance to change something and become heroes, and that should mean something.”

Manchester United may face a crucial decision regarding former left-back Álvaro Carreras, despite selling him to Benfica in the summer.

Carreras signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid in September 2020 on a four-year contract 

Carreras was a regular for the under-23 team and was named Manchester United’s U23 Player of the Year. In his first season at Manchester United at youth level he made 20 league appearances and one in the EFL trophy, as well as seven for the under-18s, and two in the FA Youth Cup.

He received his first call-up to the Manchester United senior team in during the 2021/22 season, when he was named on the bench for the Premier League match at home to Chelsea but went on to depart in 2024.

Despite selling Carreras to Benfica in the summer of 2024, Manchester United might need to reconsider their decision and bring the talented full-back back to Old Trafford. It was initially a £6m loan but the 21-year-old left-back has been making waves in Liga Portugal and with an option to buy, and his performances the Portuguese side made the move permanent have only added to the regret of letting him go.

Valued at around £40 million by Benfica now, Carreras has been involved in 38 appearances this season, showcasing his ability to contribute both defensively and offensively.

His technical prowess and versatility make him a perfect fit for the modern full-back role, especially under Ruben Amorim’s tactical system, which emphasises wide play and creativity from the flanks.

With United’s struggles in the left-back and wing-back positions this season, Carreras has emerged as a potential solution to strengthen their defensive flanks.

Manager Ruben Amorim’s implementation of a 3-4-3 system has faltered, especially with the lack of reliable options on the left side. Luke Shaw has been sidelined due to persistent injuries, and neither Tyrell Malacia nor Diogo Dalot have been able to meet the tactical demands of the system.

Manchester United’s purchase of Patrick Dorgu earlier this year, who is able to cover the right flank, appeared to address their full-back needs. However, his arrival and Dalot’s performances have not solved the issue of their left-sided defence.

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Carreras has been widely praised for his adaptability, sharp defensive instincts, and ability to drive forward, qualities United could greatly benefit from. If United are to make a serious push for silverware next season, securing a reliable, attacking full-back like Carreras may be the key to solidifying their defense and adding depth to their squad.

Carreras has made it clear, however, that he is focused on his current role at Benfica and is not concerned with reports linking him to Manchester United. He has expressed his happiness at the club he stated: “I’m concentrating on what I have to do because every three days I have a game. I’m very happy here.”

But with United’s ongoing struggles and their need for a dynamic left-back, a future move could be a possibility—should they decide to make their move

Although United have now shifted focus to Dorgu, Carreras’ impressive form at Benfica could prompt them to reconsider activating his buy-back clause, potentially at a price of £25 million.

Despite the club’s financial concerns, the young Spaniard’s consistent performances in a competitive league like Portugal’s and the Champions League suggest he could be the long-term solution to United’s full-back woes. In hindsight, had United held onto Carreras or acted quicker, they might have saved themselves the expense of signing new players altogether.

Rio Ferdinand has hit out at suggestions that former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to ‘blame’ for their downfall since his exit.

Man Utd have declined massively since Ferguson called time on his managerial career as they have not won the Premier League since his exit in 2013.

The Red Devils have hit a new low this season as they have spent most of the 2024/25 campaign in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Several factors are at play for Man Utd’s downfall with the Glazer family, INEOS and failed managers taking hits for the Premier League giants falling off a cliff despite sitting second in our net spend table.

BBC presenter Lineker has recently sparked debate after echoing INEOS in ‘blaming’ Ferguson for Man Utd’s struggles.

“If you look at Liverpool now, they’ve got a new manager in Arne Slot, and it’s testament to how Jurgen Klopp left the club in a really good state. So the structure is really good,” Lineker said on the BBC.

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“That probably wasn’t the case at the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s [time at Old Trafford]. I know they won the league that season, but it wasn’t their best side, and a lot of their great players were coming to the end of their careers.

“I think from there they had problems. The academy wasn’t delivering the players that they were before.”

In response, Ferdinand listed four reasons to prove Lineker and Co. are talking “nonsense”.

“Average age of the squad Sir Alex left was 26.6 years old. Blend of youth and experience,” Ferdinand posted on X.

“Our attacking players were… Rooney (27), RVP (29), Chicharito (25), Welbeck (22), Zaha (20), Nani (26), Ashley Young (27), Lingard (20), Kagawa (24), Valencia (27), Januzaj (18) [and also] 19 international players.”

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He added: “P.S. we won the league by 11 points…

“Since then, the recruitment have been poor. But I’ve read over the last few days it’s The Boss fault. What a load of nonsense…”

Pundit Jason Cundy has explained why he “totally agrees” with Lineker after David Moyes was not given a “squad that was being built for years to come”.

“I totally agree with [Lineker],” Cundy said. “When Sir Alex left, the squad that he left for David Moyes wasn’t a squad that was being built for years to come.”

Jamie O’Hara added: “You can’t blame that now.”

Cundy responded: “I agree not now, but it was the start of the decline in my opinion. He left the club in such a… I felt the squad, he didn’t leave the club in an unbelievable state.

“Klopp left Liverpool in a far better position than Sir Alex left United in, that’s a fact.”

He continued: “The squad was terrible, look at the back four. Three of the main back four all left within 18 months to 2 years. That’s not building a squad.

“(CEO) David Gill left and Woody (Ed Woodward) came in so when Gill left, Woodward was terrible.

“Part of that partnership that Gill and Sir Alex had was broken too then all of a sudden you’re bringing in Moyes and Ed Woodward.

“Those two things are the reasons United declined and are in the position they’re in. You can’t keep leading back on that as a reason (for their struggles now) in my opinion (though).”

Man Utd manager target Xavi has demanded two signings in order to accept an offer from the Red Devils to replace Ruben Amorim, according to reports.

The Red Devils are having a season to forget under Amorim with Man Utd winning just five of their 16 Premier League matches under the Portuguese head coach.

Man Utd are currently 14th in the Premier League table after 27 matches and a stunning 34 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.

Performances since Erik ten Hag was sacked at the end of October have been even worse with the players struggling to embrace Amorim’s playing style, tactics and philosophy.

Under normal circumstances Amorim would already be under pressure to save his job but the sh**show at Man Utd has been going on for far too long under numerous managers.

Despite their terrible position in the Premier League, Amorim made a bold claim over the weekend: “The goal is to win the Premier League. I know we are losing games but the goal is to win the Premier League again. I don’t know how long it will take. We have a goal and we continue forward no matter what.”

But Wayne Rooney called him out as “naive” as the pressure builds on the Man Utd boss to get some results.

Rooney said: “I think it’s a little naive to say they’re looking to win the Premier League because from where they are now, they’re a long way off that.

“I think he’ll get time but it’s not a free hit because he’ll expect more from Manchester United than what we’re seeing since he’s been in. He says winning the Premier League, how can they compete? To get further up the table, I think that’s the next step for them.”

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However, there are rumours that Amorim may not get a chance to win the Premier League over the next couple of years with reports in Spain claiming that the Man Utd boss ‘could be sacked in the summer’ and replaced by former Barcelona manager Xavi.

On Xavi, it is claimed ‘the possibility of joining the English team is very attractive to him, which is why he has resumed talks with Jim Ratcliffe, and has already made his first requests’.

Xavi ‘would request the signature of two former pupils, starting with Frenkie de Jong’ who was ‘on their agenda before Xavi’s request, as he was also an obsession for Ten Hag’.

And Xavi’s ‘other wish at Barca would be Ronald Araujo’ and their ‘distant’ relationship towards the end of his tenure at the Camp Nou ‘has not been an impediment for him to ask United to sign him’.

De Jong is valued at around €40m, while Araujo could be available for about €70m, meaning Man Utd could satisfy Xavi’s requests with a €110m (£91m) spend.

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