Erik ten Hag has had a big say when it comes to Manchester United's transfer business since joining the club, but that could all change once Sir Jim Ratcliffe is in power

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Football Digest: Man Utd urged to give Ten Hag time he needs

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is likely to see his influence on the club's transfer strategy reduced if Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge of sporting operations at Old Trafford.

Since his arrival from Ajax last summer, Ten Hag has had a major say on United's recruitment and has identified several players who have since moved to Manchester for significant transfer fees, including the likes of Antony, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.

After overseeing a record transfer spend of PS231million last summer, the Dutchman was backed in the market again ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, where he splurged another nine-figure sum on new recruits. However, the impact of most of those signings have subsequently been questioned with United struggling both in the Premier League and Europe.

According to the i, Ratcliffe is determined to undertake a 'deep audit' of the club's current recruitment strategy with a view to handing control over transfers to 'experts' rather than giving absolute influence to Ten Hag, whose main focus will be coaching the team.

It's likely that an incoming sporting director would play a major role in said structure changes. As outlined previously, Ratcliffe is keen to overhaul the club's structure behind the scenes former Monaco chief Paul Mitchell is a top candidate for such a role at Old Trafford.

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Erik ten Hag's influence over transfers at Manchester United is likely to be reduced once Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives at the club ( Image:

Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC) Recruitment has been a major talking point at Manchester United for years, with the consensus being that the club have regularly overpaid on transfers since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's premiership.

The impact of several of the club's major signings, including several of Ten Hag's purchases, have been questioned over the past 12 months, too - including by Ratcliffe.

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The Guardian reported earlier this month that Ratcliffe openly challenged club officials during face-to-face talks over the decision to pay a staggering PS60m for Casemiro after sharing a review of the club amid the takeover saga earlier this year. As well as an enormous transfer fee, United also sanctioned a four-year deal worth PS350,000-a-week for the Brazil international, who was 30 years old at the time.

While the Glazers will remain in power if Ratcliffe's proposal for the club is ratified at a board meeting in the near future, the Ineos chief will be given control of the club's sporting operations as part of the PS1.4billion deal.