Sir Jim Ratcliffe suffers Man United transfer setback after INEOS target provides concern

Sir Jim Ratcliffe might be second-guessing how he will begin his Manchester United transfer situation after Michael Olise provided a fresh concern.

The British billionaire is awaiting his 25 per cent stake in Manchester United to be ratified by the Premier League before getting his feet under the table at Old Trafford.

He has already, however, begun to make strides in terms of meeting the playing squad, manager Erik ten Hag, and staff across the club. Alongside Sir Dave Brailsford, he conducted a talk with United staff last week.

However, the Ineos chief and his team are unlikely to be able to influence United’s movement in the January transfer market so much.

All sporting decisions do have to be signed off by Ratcliffe and the new directors, yet, without their own sporting director in place right now, and limitations in terms of budget, there will be minimal influence this month.

The upcoming summer transfer window will be the first chance for Ratcliffe to place a marker on the club, and there is expected to be a lot of movement then.

Michael Olise has been reported as one of the first players the Ineos chief would want to bring into the club to boost United’s attacking options. However, the Crystal Palace winger received a worrying setback last week, which could lead to further deliberation from Ratcliffe.

Olise suffered another hamstring injury during Palace’s 3-1 win against Brentford, a game in which he scored twice, and will be out of action for at least a month.

This comes just over a month after he returned from a six-month outlay related to the same hamstring injury. He suffered a grade 3 hamstring tear during an international break with France at the Under-21 European Championship last summer.

He was ruled out of Crystal Palace’s pre-season as well as the opening schedule of the Premier League season.

Many have placed blame on manager Roy Hodgson for poor management of the 22-year-old, who played 90 minutes in seven of the nine games he’s appeared in since returning from his original injury.

Whilst there is not an absolute major concern about Olise’s situation if Ratcliffe is aiming to bring the winger to Old Trafford, there will certainly be conversations to be had considering his large release clause and now a reoccurring injury appearing.

Especially when there are options elsewhere, with club scouts favouring La Liga star Nico Williams as an option to play across the forward line, as UtdDistrict understands it.

With a sporting director, as well as a potential new head of recruitment, set to be brought in under Ineos, United should be well-prepared for the summer and have their decisions made early.