The year-long limbo over Manchester United’s ownership will soon be ended as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority interest nears completion.



In a head-to-head struggle last month, the INEOS CEO came out on top against a Qatari consortium chaired by banker <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/no-qatar-takeover-for-man-utd-sheikh-jassim-looks-elsewhere-20231014-WST-462247.html">Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani</a>. He is currently within striking distance of completing the $1.5 billion takeover of 25 percent of the club.



A lifelong Red Devils supporter, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/manchester-united-secure-fresh-funding-from-us-billionaire-20231115-WST-470106.html">Ratcliffe</a> first made a bid to acquire a controlling interest in the team. Since they were not making any progress, a revised offer of a quarter finally sealed the deal. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">United</a> supporters continue to hold out hope that the Glazers, the current owners, sell the club. The American Glazer family has been in charge of the Premier League powerhouse since 2005.



<h2>United ready to cash in on midfielder</h2>



Furthermore, they will need to adapt to the anticipated new arrangement, which is set to grant the British billionaire control over sporting operations at Old Trafford. Various reports have confirmed that after the arrival of Ratcliffe as co-owner, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ratcliffe-to-name-familiar-epl-figure-as-man-utd-sporting-director-20231022-WST-464004.html">major changes are in store</a> for Manchester United.



This includes the departure of CEO Richard Arnold and the expected appointment of a new sports director. Also, Ratcliffe is willing to let Casemiro, last summer’s signing, depart if it means revitalizing the team.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/16053123/Ratcliffe-Casemiro-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-470614" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not afraid to make drastic changes to Manchester United to get the club back on track.</figcaption></figure>



As Ratcliffe prepares to take charge of the club’s athletic department, <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/24735570/casemiro-transfer-man-utd-ratcliffe-sale/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sun</a> suggests that he is willing to listen to offers for the 31-year-old to raise money for a rebuild. The projected investment might allow the team to start again, which could mean trading high-earning veterans like Casemiro for newer, more promising players.



In the summer of 2022, United spent $74 million to acquire Casemiro from Real Madrid. Instantly, the Brazilian became one of the club’s highest-paid players. His contributions were crucial to Erik ten Hag’s squad last year. United won the Carabao Cup, finished third in the Premier League and advanced to the FA Cup final.



The 31-year-old has had a rough go of it this season. Casemiro will not be back to full strength until after the holidays because of a hamstring injury.



<h2>Where could Casemiro go if Ratcliffe lets him go?</h2>



Saudi Arabia is targeting the 31-year-old defensive midfielder in a lucrative transfer, <a href="https://talksport.com/football/1641488/transfer-news-arsenal-newcastle-neves-man-utd-casemiro-tottenham-chelsea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">talkSPORT</a> reports. Many high-profile players moved to the Saudi Pro League. Newcastle’s owners, PIF, acquired four teams in the Gulf State.



Moreover, the report claims that Manchester United’s management wants to sell the player. They are willing to negotiate advantageous conditions. United’s higher-ups want to part ways with him as quickly as possible to maximize any financial gain from selling him.



Several teams in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League want Casemiro. Each presents a possible departure route. Al Nassr, where Ronaldo played before joining United, is one such example, as per <a href="https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/man-utd/cristiano-ronaldo-casemiro-saudi-pro-league-077843-20231115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sport Bible</a>.



The Brazilian national team player’s contract with the Manchester team is in effect until the summer of 2026. According to Transfermarkt, his estimated value is 40 million. Casemiro’s potential exit coincides with Ratcliffe’s ambitions to sell the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/sir-jim-ratcliffe-mulls-january-departure-for-united-attacking-trio-20231111-WST-469334.html">attacking trident of Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Anthony Martial</a>.



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

Ratcliffe open to sacrificing star midfielder to fund January moves

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be willing to accept bids star midfielder Casemiro in order to finance the January transfer window.

Manchester United has been coping with a rising injury crisis this season. Despite a recent skid under <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/man-united-assembling-list-of-potential-manager-candidates-20231103-WST-467031.html">Erik ten Hag</a>‘s leadership, the club’s most pressing problems include an outspoken <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/talk-of-ten-hag-sacking-prompts-club-to-release-statement-20231103-WST-467020.html">fan uprising against the Glazer family’s ownership</a> and a general lack of success on the field. In addition, the huge number of absentees has undoubtedly not helped things.



The list of unavailable players for the foreseeable future at United is impressive. For example, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, and Amad are out. Due to ongoing recovery from preseason injuries, the latter three have yet to make a competitive appearance this year.



Mason Mount, Raphael Varane, and Sergio Reguilon also missed time this season due to injury.



<h2>What did Erik ten Hag say about Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez?</h2>



Erik ten Hag confirmed that Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez will miss a significant portion of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>‘s season.



After suffering an ankle injury while representing Brazil last month, Casemiro returned to action last Wednesday against Newcastle but was substituted off at halftime of the 3-0 Carabao Cup loss. A year after his spectacular move to Old Trafford from Real Madrid, it has been overshadowed by his struggles to find form and fitness.



United said the Brazil international midfielder would be sidelined for “<a href="https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/casemiro-ruled-out-for-several-weeks-by-hamstring-injury-during-man-utd-v-newcastle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several weeks</a>” with a hamstring injury, but Ten Hag has since cast doubt on whether or not the player will return to action this season.



Martinez, meantime, is doing better after having surgery to fix a chronic foot issue. They may miss as many as ten games across all competitions as a result of this news.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/16053458/Lisandro-Martinez-injury-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-468329" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Lisandro Martinez missed 12 games at the end of last season with a metatarsal fracture. He has missed 11 games with a foot injury in the current campaign.</figcaption></figure>



“I have some time schedules, but it’s always difficult to expect that because they can have setbacks during rehab periods. Casemiro and Martinez are really strong injuries, I don’t expect them back before Christmas,” the Dutch manager said, via <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13002801/casemiro-and-lisandro-martinez-man-utd-duo-not-expected-to-return-from-injury-before-christmas-says-erik-ten-hag" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a>.



<h2>There is good news for United amid injury crisis</h2>



United lost many crucial players to injury in 2023. On Saturday, Harry Maguire clashed with Rodrigo Muniz. It looked like another injury concern for Manchester United. Maguire seemed confused and collapsed. The health team performed a concussion protocol test to determine if he could play.



Ten Hag said on Wednesday that Maguire was well enough to participate in the game against Copenhagen.



Meanwhile, after a string of unfortunate outcomes, Marcus Rashford was the most recent player to suffer an injury. The forward did not feature in the lineup for the victory against Fulham because of fitness.



Rarely does Erik ten Hag get good news, but he is about to have his striker back. This week, with a UEFA Champions League match against Copenhagen midweek, the Red Devils have a big game.



So far this season, the Old Trafford outfit have only won one of their three Group Stage matches, a home game against Copenhagen back in the previous month. With Marcus Rashford’s impending comeback from injury, United have a better chance of beating the Danish team.



On Wednesday, Ten Hag announced in a news conference that Rashford will be traveling with the team.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

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