Sir Jim Ratcliffe receives transfer blow after Man Utd defeat vs Arsenal

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have received a fresh transfer blow following Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds lost their 14th game of the league season against Mikel Arteta’s side, making it the most defeats in a single Premier League campaign for United.

While the performance was not as poor as the one displayed at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace earlier in the week, it was still not enough to properly land a glove on the Gunners.

There is a lot of work to be done by Ratcliffe and his team if they want to turn United’s fortunes around. Good steps have been made in the additions of Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada behind the scenes.

However, the movement within the playing squad will be what the club lives and dies by. Recruitment on the pitch has been poor for too many years, and additions are needed to beef up a depleted squad this summer.

Central defence might be the most important position to address. Against Arsenal, the centre-back pairing was Casemiro and Jonny Evans, with the rest of the options unavailable, barring Willy Kambwala, who returned from injury to make the bench.

Raphaël Varane looks likely to leave when his contract ends after the season. Meanwhile, the futures of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf and Evans remain in doubt.

While INEOS have identified Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a primary option to boost the defensive line at Old Trafford, they will also need to assess lower-cost signings in the position at the same time.

That seemed to be exactly what they were doing with links to Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who is leaving the Cottagers at the end of the season on a free contract.

INEOS’ centre-back blow

However, the latest reports from MailOnline have stated that Newcastle are now the clear favourites to land the soon-to-be free agent this summer.

It was added that Adarabioyo values the Magpies’ ambition and has been impressed by the project presented to him after holding talks over the past week.

While there remains interest from elsewhere, including Old Trafford, it has been indicated that Newcastle is now his most likely destination with a deal close.

INEOS will seemingly need to look elsewhere for defensive strength for a cheap price this summer, with major changes elsewhere also needed.