2 days ago
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has invested £79million into Manchester United, but none of it will go towards Ruben Amorim's transfer kitty.
When Ratcliffe forked out an eye-watering £1.2billion for a 27.7 per cent stake in United, there was an agreement he would pump in a further $300m (£237m) into the club.
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Thanks to a filing listed on the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the 72-year-old's final payment of $100m (£79m) has been confirmed.
Ratcliffe has also upped his share in the club to 28.94 per cent, with the ownership of those shares also transferred to Ineos.
The latest cash injection from Ratcliffe is evidence he is devoted to turning around the club's fortunes.
However, talkSPORT understands Ratcliffe's funds will not go towards a January transfer budget.
Instead, it will help with aid with investment in infrastructure.
It is also understood United's recent focus on reducing costs and boosting revenues, evidenced by the divisive job cuts and rise in ticket prices, is targeted at stabilising the club's finances so that any fresh capital isn't spent purely on operating losses.
Ratcliffe has overseen a handful of financial missteps since the summer.
He signed off on the controversial decision to extend Erik ten Hag's contract despite the Dutchman leading the Red Devils to an eighth-place finish in the league last season.
Ratcliffe allowed Ten Hag to spend over £200million in the transfer market, only to sack the Dutchman just four months later after a dismal start to the campaign.
As a result of sacking Ten Hag, Ratcliffe had to fork out £15m in compensation.
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Ratcliffe also worked hard to lure Dan Ashworth to Old Trafford as United's new sporting director and even paid £10m in compensation to Newcastle to secure his services.
But Ashworth's stint at United came to an abrupt end earlier this month as he mutually agreed to leave the club.
Unfortunately for Amorim, the consequence of multiple financial missteps almost certainly means he will only have funds to spend in January via sales.
One such sale could come in the form of Marcus Rashford, who declared on Tuesday he was 'ready for a new challenge'.
talkSPORT understands United will listen to offers for the 27-year-old as Amorim looks to make significant changes to his playing squad.
Rashford was even left out of the matchday squad for United's 2-1 win over Manchester City last Sunday and is expected to once again be absent from the team ahead of the Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham.
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In response to Rashford's interview, Amorim reaffirmed he would be happy to keep the forward at the club.
"We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simply and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past," Amorim said.
"And that's all. Of course (I would be happy to keep him), because this kind of club needs big talent and he's a big talent.
"So he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus.
"I just want to help Marcus."
