Man Utd news: Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'makes sale decision' but is set for huge saving

Manchester United's nightmare is showing no signs of coming to an end. The club invested over £200million in new signings in the summer, but that has not paid any dividends as of yet.

Following a shock second-round Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town, United were brushed aside in a 3-0 defeat in last weekend's Manchester Derby. Fans and critics had essentially written off last season, where manager Ruben Amorim led the club to their worst ever Premier League finish down in 15th place, and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur

But Amorim's fortunes have not improved despite his exciting new additions. He now has the lowest win percentage of any permanent United manager since World War II, having suffered an 18th defeat in 47 games in charge on Sunday.

The head coach is under enormous pressure ahead of Saturday's clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford. And with a potential sacking looming, Mirror Football brings you some of the latest news surrounding Amorim and the club.

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Ratcliffe 'to sell club'

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has put OGC Nice up for sale, according to French outlet Ici. Ratcliffe and INEOS bought Nice for a sum of £89m (€100m) in 2019, with fans of the club initially hopeful that their financial muscle would help them become genuine contenders in a domestic league that has been dominated by Paris Saint-Germain.

But that has not been the case, with Nice failing to finish above fourth under INEOS’ stewardship. Speculation grew over Ratcliffe looking to sell the club in March this year, when the billionaire admitted to The Times that he didn’t particularly enjoy watching Nice because the quality of football wasn’t “high enough” for him to get excited.

He also noted that Nice's best campaign was last season, when INEOS were forced to adopt a less hands-on model due to multi-club ownership rules, admitting: “They’ve been so much better without our interference!”

It’s now been claimed that Ratcliffe has put Nice up for sale, having been deemed to have forsaken the club since becoming United’s minority owner and heading its football strategy. The aforementioned report states Sir Jim is demanding £173m to part ways with the French side.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have been approached for comment by Mirror Sport.

Amorim sack decision

Manchester United may hold off on sacking head coach Amorim, even if they decide he is not the right man to lead the side until the end of the season. The Portuguese signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Red Devils less than a year ago on a salary of £6.5m-per-season.

His contract also includes a 12-month extension, having been rushed into the role after United paid Sporting £9.2m to buy him out of his contract. And, according to the Daily Mail, the club would have to directly pay him £12m in compensation if they sack the 40-year-old before he reaches one year in the job.

His coaching staff would also be in line for a pay-off. That means Ratcliffe and INEOS may look to hold off on dismissing him before November 1, after which his payout will decrease, potentially giving them a huge saving.

Amorim’s next three games in charge against Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland could essentially be the last chance to save his job. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe will be glad to save money, with the club having forked out an astonishing sum of over £54m in compensation on the five different managers they have sacked since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.

Mainoo's Newcastle links

Elsewhere, Newcastle are reportedly keeping tabs on Kobbie Mainoo’s situation and could make a move for the midfielder in the January transfer window. According to talkSPORT, Eddie Howe is known to be an admirer of the player.

Mainoo, 20, wanted to leave United in the lead up to transfer deadline day after losing his place in the starting line-up under Amorim. But the Red Devils blocked their academy graduate from sealing a potential £50m move to Napoli, where Scott McTominay has thrived since leaving the Red Devils.

The youngster was once again left on the bench ahead of Sunday’s 3-0 defeat in the Manchester Derby. That will have only added to his frustrations after playing just 73 minutes in the Premier League this season, despite being one of the first names on the team sheet under previous manager Erik ten Hag.

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