Four Manchester United Players at Risk as Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'Targets Transfers'

Several Manchester United players could face the axe as minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly targets four new signings.

Erik ten Hag's third season in charge has been rocky. Despite receiving a one-year contract extension from Ratcliffe earlier in the summer and substantial backing in the transfer market, the team's performance has been inconsistent. Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, and Manuel Ugarte all joined during a transfer window that saw nearly £200 million spent.

Despite a promising 1-0 victory over Fulham, subsequent matches have raised concerns. A last-minute 2-1 defeat to Brighton was followed by a 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool, which was a significant setback for the Red Devils.

According to MEN, INEOS is now looking towards the future, aiming to bring in a new defender, midfielder, winger, and left-back. This move could signal that current players' positions are at risk. Betimate examines who might be in danger if these new signings come through.

Tyrell Malacia

After missing the entire 2023-24 season due to knee surgery, Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia has been out of action for well over a year, and he may never return to the field for the Red Devils.

Malacia joined Old Trafford in 2022 with hopes of securing the left-back spot, but after only a few appearances, he required surgery and has since struggled to regain form.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United reportedly looking to sign a new left-sided defender—especially since right-back Diogo Dalot has been filling the position—Malacia could be at risk of being offloaded to make room for new arrivals.

Additionally, injury-prone Luke Shaw, who has also been out since the start of this campaign, could see his first-team opportunities diminish if the club finds a reliable candidate to solidify the left-back role for the long term.

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Victor Lindelof

Versatile defender Victor Lindelof has been a valuable asset for Manchester United since his arrival in 2017, making over 250 appearances for the club.

However, this summer brought challenges for the 30-year-old. The arrivals of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt have pushed him further down the pecking order, behind players like Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.

If United pursue a new defender, such as the highly sought-after Jarrad Branthwaite—whose £70 million price tag was too high for United this window—Lindelof could be the first to make way for a new addition.

The Swedish international was linked with a move away during the summer, with various options discussed, including a potential swap deal with Everton that would have seen Branthwaite join United. However, no transfer materialized, and Lindelof is set to stay at Old Trafford until at least January.

Mason Mount

With a new midfielder reportedly on Manchester United's agenda, Mason Mount's future at Old Trafford could be in jeopardy.

Mount joined United in 2023 for an initial £55 million from Chelsea but has struggled to make an impact due to a series of injuries. Although he started the season promisingly, he sustained a hamstring injury during United's second match against Brighton and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

At 25, Mount is still in the prime of his career, but his ongoing injury issues might hinder his ability to secure a regular spot in the starting XI. This could make him a candidate for transfer, especially if United pursue new additions.

Reports from the Mail suggest that Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, who can play both in midfield and as a winger, is a transfer target for United. If Eze arrives, Mount's position could be further threatened.

Antony

Brazilian winger Antony could also be at risk of being replaced, as the £86 million fee Manchester United paid for him has yet to be justified by his performances.

In his two seasons in England, Antony has scored only five Premier League goals and went over a year without finding the net in any competition before his FA Cup goal against Liverpool last term.

There were suggestions that United were open to selling him this summer, but no move materialized before the end of the English transfer window. However, Fenerbahce remains interested in Antony and could make a move before their Deadline Day on September 13.