Sir Jim Ratcliffe at OId Trafford ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on November 10, 20...
Sir Jim Ratcliffe at OId Trafford ahead of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on November 10, 20...
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year as Manchester United co-owner has been full of controversial decisions.
The British billionaire completed his takeover at Manchester United on Christmas Eve last year, and there have been sweeping changes at the club over the past 12 months.
Not only has the entire boardroom changed with Omar Berrada brought in as CEO, but the Red Devils also have a new manager in the shape of Ruben Amorim.
Dan Ashworth left the club after just five months as sporting director, and on the pitch United find themselves in the bottom half of the Premier League table. It hasn’t exactly been a dreamy first year for Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Ineos.
After making five major signings in the summer, Ineos have a chance to back Amorim in the upcoming January transfer window. However, sales are also on the cards.
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United holds an Argentina flag while celebrating Manchester United winning the Carabao Cup during the Carabao Cup F...
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images
Man United could sell Lisandro Martinez
United’s budget is currently shackled by the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and one way to navigate the regulations is to complete a big-money sale.
Marcus Rashford has been linked with a United exit this week, while Diogo Dalot is reportedly a Real Madrid target.
Dalot is not the only United player being targeted by the Spanish giants, with Lisandro Martinez also on Madrid’s radar.
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According to talkSPORT, United will consider cashing in on Martinez if Madrid come knocking. He is one of Madrid’s targets alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The report adds that, while Martinez is a fan favourite, he is not considered unsellable at United and offers will be considered.
Selling Lisandro Martinez would anger Man United fans
There have been very, very few transfer success stories at Manchester United over the last decade, but Martinez is adored by the United fanbase.
The fiery Argentina international, who is nicknamed ‘The Butcher’, immediately won supporters over with his passionate, aggressive approach to defending.
Martinez was flawless against Bodo/Glimt as he proved he can fit into Amorim’s 3-4-3 system at United. There are still question marks over his height and physicality, but the truth is that United play better with Martinez on the pitch.
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If Ratcliffe sanctions the sale of Martinez in 2025, he risks angering a fanbase who have already been left mightily unimpressed by his recent actions.
Ratcliffe cut 250 jobs at United, ripped up Sir Alex Ferguson’s contract and outrageously raised ticket prices to £66 for all supporters.
During that time, millions were spent on sacking Ten Hag and Ashworth.