Sir Jim Ratcliffe dined out with his key advisor Sir Dave Brailsford on Wednesday night, with Man United’s new hierarchy having signalled a mass squad overhaul this summer.
Ratcliffe and his Ineos group have made significant changes since taking charge of football operations at Old Trafford, after the British billionaire bought a 27.7 per cent stake in the club.
Brailsford, Ineos director of sport, has taken a key role a part of the new regime at Man United.
The former British Cycling chief joined Ratcliffe at the The Ivy in Manchester in Wednesday night, with the meting billed as a working dinner.
Last month, Brailsford was reported to have conducted one-to-one meetings with players and staff to outline the approach being taken by the club moving forwards.
Man United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, right, dined out at the Ivy in Manchester
Ratfcliffe was joined by Sir Dave Brailsford, left, who has been a key advisor at Man United
The dinner comes days after reports Man United after planning a major clearout this summer
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Ratcliffe and Brailsford’s dinner comes after reports Man United are open to selling the majority of their squad in an explosive fire sale this summer.
It comes as part of Ratcliffe’s attempts to overhaul United and restore them to their former glories after another difficult campaign.
Man United’s new regime reportedly open-minded about sales and will weigh up most bids.
Just three players – Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund – have reportedly been spared from the chopping block.
United are hopeful of building a winning team around the young trio in the future.
The approach follows a difficult season under Erik ten Hag, with the Red Devils set to miss out on Champions League football.
Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler first reported that selling Marcus Rashford is an option. With 100 per cent of the profit from trading homegrown players going toward complying with FFP regulations, a sale may fit into INEOS’ commitment to a fierce economy drive.
Paris Saint-Germain, who held talks with Rashford’s representatives two years ago, are one of a handful of clubs that could realistically match his £75million valuation and stump up for his hefty personal terms as they look to replace Kylian Mbappe.
Mail Sport understands that United continue to believe in Rashford and want him to succeed after investing so heavily in him with a bumper new contract.
However, there is also a recognition that his alarming drop in form on the pitch must change.
And while United are not thought to be actively working to axe players, they must first raise money through sales in order to bolster their limited transfer budget.
Man United are reportedly open to selling the majority of their squad, including Marcus Rashford
Rasmus Hojlund (left) and Alejandro Garnacho (right) are viewed as players who are ‘off limits’
The club are believed to be keen to sign a new striker, central midfielder and right-sided centre back but may be unable to splash big fees like in recent years.
Man United confirmed further off the pitch changes last week, with interim chief executive Patrick Stewart and chief financial officer Cliff Baty are standing down.
Stewart will be replaced as CEO by Ineos Sport chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc until Omar Berrada completes his gardening leave at Manchester City, with United confirming Berrada’s start date as July 13.
Ineos have already made significant changes to the football operation at United with football director John Murtough standing down to make way for Dan Ashworth who is on gardening leave at Newcastle while the two clubs try to negotiate a compensation package.
Jason Wilcox, who worked with Berrada at City as head of the club’s academy, has already moved from Southampton to take over as technical director from Darren Fletcher, although United hope the former Scotland midfielder will accept a different role at the club.