Man United receive £30m setback after Sir Jim Ratcliffe face-to-face meeting

Manchester United have received a potential setback ahead of the summer transfer window as Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to progress a deal away from the pitch.

The Reds have been underperforming this season, and the FA Cup is now the only chance for Erik ten Hag’s side to have a successful end to the campaign.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS will be looking to be busy in the summer transfer market in terms of incomings for Ten Hag, or another manager, but they will also need to make some smart sales.

United have been walking the financial fair play tightrope in recent windows and one of the reasons for this is through the lack of ability to generate funds through transfer sales.

Fortunately, there are several sellable assets at Old Trafford and one of those is the on-loan Mason Greenwood.

Greenwood, 22, returned to professional football this season and was sent on loan to Getafe following the decision by United for him to restart his career away from Old Trafford.

Whilst Ratcliffe has not ruled out the possibility of Greenwood staying, the academy graduate would represent pure profit for FFP if he was sold, and United could be looking at a healthy fee as well.

The winger has had a solid season in La Liga so far, but new reports suggest that potential suitors may consider even a £30 million price tag too much.

ESPN have stated that United’s expectation of a transfer fee in the region of £30 million for Greenwood is viewed as unrealistic due to financial restrictions across Europe. Interested clubs believe that United cannot legitimately expect a significant fee for Greenwood.

Meanwhile, Ratcliffe appears focused on fixing a “completely stupid” stalemate with Newcastle over the compensation terms for Dan Ashworth to join United.

Ashworth decided to inform The Magpies of his decision to leave the club and join the INEOS project at Old Trafford, but he is on a lengthy gardening leave and would not be able to start his new role for over a year if a compensation agreement is not found.

Unfortunately, Newcastle originally quoted a £20 million price tag for their sporting director, which has been brandished as crazy money within the space.

The negotiation process has been ongoing for around two months, but a new report from The Times says that Ratcliffe has now held face-to-face talks with Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley in a bid to reach an agreement on Ashworth’s move to United.

With the two co-owners now in discussions, many will be hoping an agreement can be reached sooner than first expected, with Ashworth set to be key for the INEOS regime at United.